By Fatima Ndagi
The family of Mrs. Patience Ngozi Adiele, a 70-year-old Nigerian returnee from the United States, has called on Ethiopian Airlines to provide clarity and transparency following her sudden death while onboard one of the airline’s international flights.
Mrs. Adiele reportedly died in transit on January 20, 2026, while travelling back to the United States after spending the 2025 Christmas holidays in Nigeria, where she celebrated her 70th birthday with family members.
According to the family, she boarded Ethiopian Airlines flights ET950 and ET500 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on January 19, 2026, but did not arrive alive at her final destination.
Family members described the deceased as an experienced international traveller who had undertaken long-haul flights between Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States for over a decade without any previous health or travel complications.
“She was not new to international travel. Our mother had flown this same route many times without incident,” a family member said.
In an effort to establish what transpired during the journey, the family appealed to passengers who were on the same flight from Abuja to come forward with eyewitness accounts.
“We are asking anyone who was on board to share what they saw or experienced. Even the smallest detail could help us understand what happened,” the family said.
Passengers with relevant information were asked to contact the family via princeucheadiele@yahoo.com.
Speaking during a conference call in an exclusive interview with Pointblanknews.com, the family expressed concern over what they described as a lack of official communication from Ethiopian Airlines since the incident.
They said the airline has yet to provide a formal explanation, medical report, or incident briefing, describing the silence as distressing and painful.
While stressing that they are not alleging wrongdoing or speculating on the cause of death, the family said they are entitled to transparency, dignity, and humane engagement from the airline.
They called on Ethiopian Airlines to release all relevant medical, flight, and incident reports, and to provide a detailed account of events before and after the incident in line with international aviation standards.
“This is about truth, transparency, and dignity. Our mother deserves that,” the family said.
The family also confirmed that legal representatives have been instructed to explore all lawful options to obtain answers, while reserving their rights under both Nigerian and international aviation laws.
Although the cause of death has not yet been officially determined, the family noted that medical possibilities associated with long-haul travel, including pulmonary embolism, cannot be ruled out pending official investigations.
As of the time of filing this report, Ethiopian Airlines had not issued a public statement on the incident.
Family Seeks Answers from Ethiopian Airlines Over Death of 70-Year-Old Nigerian Passenger
