Nigerian ‘dies on arrival at Malaysian airport’

The Ohaneze Ndigbo, Malaysia has alleged that a Nigerian from Nnewi, Anambra State living in Malaysia, Oguadinna Somtochukwu has died inside a plane he boarded from Lagos to Kuala Lumpur.

The President of the association, Comrade Biafra Diboh told Daily Trust that the incident happened on Monday when Oguadinna was confirmed dead on arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

“We are reliably informed after thorough investigation that his death on board the airline was as a result of insufficient oxygen on the plane, that he died while on board,” Diboh said.

Efforts to get the reaction of Turkish Airline representative in Nigeria proved abortive. However an official who sought anonymity said the airline does not operate direct flight to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia from Lagos.

The airline also debunked report that many passengers fainted as a result of malfunctioning of the air conditioning of one of its flights from Lagos to Istanbul on Monday.

However, the Nigerian High Commission in Malaysia said the mission was yet to be briefed on the death. “We have no information on a Nigerian that died inside a plane,” Mr. Amos Shamaki, the Minister (Consular & Immigration) said in a text message in response to our correspondent’s enquiry.

The acting High Commissioner, Mrs. Janet Odeka did not respond to calls, mails and text sent to her on the issue.

Diboh called on Nigerian Government to investigate the incident and seek redress on behalf of the deceased’s family. He advised Nigerians to be more security conscious while boarding planes and if possible inquire about the insurance policy of the firm.