LAGOS, Nigeria — A male passenger aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos died after reportedly becoming agitated, attempting to enter the cockpit, and later being restrained by the crew, Nigerian aviation authorities said.
The passenger became unresponsive about 20 minutes before the aircraft landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday night, according to Kenya Airways.
Crew members administered first aid and followed emergency procedures after discovering that he was unresponsive, the airline said.
The aircraft landed in Lagos at 9:41 p.m., where medical personnel boarded and examined the passenger.
“Upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away,” Kenya Airways said in a statement issued Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The cause of death has not been established, and Nigerian police have taken over the investigation.
Passenger Reportedly Became Aggressive During Flight
Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, said the airline’s country manager briefed him about events preceding the passenger’s death.
According to Achimugu, the passenger became restless and aggressive during the flight and tried to gain access to the cockpit.
“When he got into the aircraft, he became restless and aggressive inside the aircraft, wanted to enter the cockpit and later wanted to open the rear door, but was later tied down,” Achimugu told news media.
“His hands were tied to his back to ensure that he stopped the troubles,” he said.
There has been no official finding linking the restraint to the passenger’s death.
Kenya Airways’ public statement did not describe the earlier disturbance or the restraint, referring only to a “medical emergency” aboard the aircraft.
The airline said that at about 9:20 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, one of its passengers was found unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before the scheduled landing in Lagos.
“Our crew administered first aid as per their training and followed all emergency procedures,” the airline said.
Passenger Had Reportedly Been Refused Entry to Madagascar
Achimugu said information supplied to the NCAA indicated that the passenger had earlier been taken to Madagascar but was denied entry by authorities there.
“The country manager said he was picked from Madagascar, after customs had earlier denied him entry into the country, and as expected, the airline that brought him into the country must take him back,” Achimugu said.
The circumstances surrounding the passenger’s journey to Madagascar, the reason he was denied entry, and his nationality were not immediately clear from the accounts released by authorities.
Achimugu said that after the passenger was brought aboard the Nairobi-Lagos service, his behaviour became increasingly disruptive.
He was ultimately restrained before becoming unresponsive later in the flight.
Police Take Over Investigation
Achimugu said the Nigeria Police Force would determine what happened and cautioned against reaching conclusions before the investigation was completed.
“But when he got to Nigeria, he was declared dead on arrival,” he said. “I don’t want to preempt the police investigation, but they have taken it over for now.”
He said the passenger’s family could seek an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
“I know the family may want an autopsy, but that is the current situation,” Achimugu said.
The passenger’s name had not been publicly released.
There was also no immediate public statement from the airport command of the Nigeria Police Force detailing the scope of its investigation.
The inquiry is expected to examine both the medical cause of death and the sequence of events aboard the aircraft before the passenger became unresponsive.
Kenya Airways Offers Condolences
Kenya Airways said it was working with Nigerian authorities, aviation regulators, and the passenger’s family.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and apologise for any inconvenience this incident may have caused,” the airline said.
The carrier added that it was providing necessary support while respecting the privacy and dignity of those involved.
The flight had originated in Nairobi and was approaching Lagos when the medical emergency was reported.
