A Nigerian passenger, believed to be a retired Air Force officer whose identity has not yet been disclosed, reportedly died aboard a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Airport sources confirmed that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, according to The Punch.

The deceased, said to be a native of Anambra State, was reportedly battling a terminal illness before his death.

A passenger on the flight said the incident caused panic among those on board, prompting the aircraft to make an emergency landing at El Prat Airport in Barcelona, where medical personnel made efforts to resuscitate the ailing former military officer.

The flight, which departed London Heathrow at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, was scheduled to arrive in Abuja after a six-hour journey.

Attempts to reach the Regional Commercial Manager for Nigeria and Ghana at British Airways, Mrs. Tutu Otuyalo, proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not answered or returned as of press time.

Spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, also did not respond to calls or text messages seeking clarification on the incident.

However, a senior airport official in Abuja, who requested anonymity as she was not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed the development to our correspondent.

She said, “It happened as a matter of fact that the incident is beyond what can be lied about. I expect the NCAA to hint to the press about the matter.”