By Salisu Ibrahim
LAGOS, Nigeria (CHATNEWSTV) — Aero Contractors has compounded the grief of a bereaved family after leaving the body of their loved one at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, despite payment and completed paperwork.
The flight, which departed Lagos for Kano at 7:45 a.m. Sunday, carried eight family members and other passengers onboard. However, the corpse of their relative was left behind without their knowledge, causing distress upon their arrival at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.
Abubakar Jimeta, an uncle to the deceased, described the incident as “a shocking failure of basic compassion and communication” by the airline.
“In a moment that should have brought solace, we were met with confusion and disbelief,” Jimeta said. “An ambulance and hundreds of mourners were waiting for us, but there was nothing to transport. The Islamic burial scheduled for 10:30 a.m. was ruined.”
Jimeta said the family had paid approximately ₦700,000 for six business-class tickets, two economy-class tickets, and the logistics for transporting the corpse. The arrangements were made through an agent, Ehi Multi System Nigeria Limited, with assurances that all procedures had been completed.
He alleged that despite arriving at the airport at 4 a.m. as instructed, Aero Contractors failed to inform them of any issues with the body’s transport.
“The insensitivity displayed by Aero Contractors is staggering,” Jimeta said. “We are left questioning how such a failure could happen and why no explanation was given. It added unimaginable pain to an already difficult time.”
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident.
“There was a communication problem between Aero and the passenger,” said Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection. “Aero ought to have informed the family of the delay. The corpse was eventually transported to Kano on an Arik Air flight.”
Achimugu acknowledged that the failure to notify the family compounded their anguish, adding that such lapses in communication were unacceptable.
As the family seeks closure, Jimeta called for accountability and reforms to ensure no other family endures a similar ordeal.
“This serves as a cautionary tale for the airline industry,” he said. “Grieving families deserve empathy and professionalism, not negligence.”
Aero Contractors did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.
