By Obinna Uballa
Facts have emerged about how a retired Nigerian Air Force Chief, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Osita Obierika (rtd.), died aboard a British Airways flight from London to Abuja on Sunday night.
Obierika, fondly called Prof and remembered as a distinguished elder statesman, was an octogenarian and former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Training Command, Kaduna, as well as a directing staff at the National Defence College, Abuja.
He was said to be returning home after receiving cancer treatment in the United Kingdom.
The aircraft, which departed London’s Heathrow Airport at 11:00 p.m. on October 5, was scheduled to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 5:00 a.m. on Monday. But at about 1:30 a.m., the pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted to El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Spain.
The development caused distress among passengers, including a pregnant woman who also reportedly required medical attention.
British Airways confirmed the diversion, apologised to passengers for the disruption, and assured them of support and onward travel arrangements. A replacement aircraft was later deployed to complete the journey to Abuja, rescheduled to depart Barcelona at 2:50 p.m. local time and arrive around 5:45 p.m.
It remained unclear as of press time whether Obierika’s remains were kept in Barcelona or transported to Nigeria on the replacement flight.
A native of Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State, AVM Obierika had remained active in public discourse after his retirement. In 2021, he delivered a lecture at Baze University, Abuja, on “Security Sector Reform in Nigeria and the 4th Industrial Revolution.”
