Kenya Airways Passenger Dies After Medical Emergency on Flight From Nairobi to Lagos

Kenya Airways has confirmed the death of a male passenger who suffered a medical emergency aboard a flight from Nairobi, Kenya, to Lagos, Nigeria.

According to a statement released by the airline on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 9:20 p.m. Nigerian time, when the passenger reportedly became unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to land in Lagos.

The airline said its cabin crew immediately administered first aid in line with their training and followed the required emergency procedures. The aircraft subsequently landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 9:41 p.m., where medical personnel were waiting to attend to the passenger.

However, after examining him, the medical team confirmed that he had died.

Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the deceased passenger’s family and friends, while stating that it was working closely with the family and respecting the privacy and dignity of everyone involved.

The incident was also confirmed by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the police had taken over the investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s death.

Achimugu said he was briefed by Kenya Airways’ country manager on Wednesday morning. According to the account provided to him, the passenger had reportedly been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities there had denied him entry into the country. As an inadmissible passenger, the airline was expected to transport him back.

He further alleged that the passenger became restless and aggressive during the return flight. The passenger reportedly attempted to gain access to the cockpit and later tried to open the aircraft’s rear door.

In an effort to prevent further disruption and protect other passengers and crew members, the passenger was reportedly restrained with his hands tied behind his back.

Despite the intervention, Achimugu said the passenger later developed breathing difficulties and was eventually declared dead after the aircraft arrived in Nigeria.

He stressed that he did not want to preempt the outcome of the police investigation, noting that the authorities had assumed responsibility for determining exactly what happened.

The Nigeria Police Force also confirmed the incident. The spokesperson for the Airport Command, Muhammed Adeola, said investigations had commenced and described the case as involving an inadmissible passenger.

Adeola said the passenger reportedly became unable to breathe while the aircraft was returning to Nigeria, prompting medical officers to be alerted before landing. However, he was pronounced dead after the aircraft arrived.

The police spokesperson added that the deceased’s body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja for further investigation.

Authorities have therefore begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s death, while Kenya Airways said it was providing necessary support in coordination with the deceased’s family.