The family of Mrs. Patience Ngozi Adiele, a 70-year-old Nigerian woman, has raised a frantic alarm following her mysterious death aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight on January 19, 2026. Mrs. Adiele was traveling from Abuja to Washington, D.C., via Addis Ababa and Rome, when she reportedly passed away mid-flight.
Her daughter, Adiele Jacqueline, took to social media to allege that her mother was in perfect health before boarding and has accused the airline of a “deliberate cover-up.” The family claims they were notified of the death via a “strange number” while Jacqueline was on her way to the airport to pick her mother up, but have since been met with a wall of silence from the airline.
During the journey, a man identifying himself as an onboard physician reportedly texted Jacqueline, stating that her mother had become ill and was on oxygen but remained “responsive.” However, the family alleges that the airline has refused to release an official medical report or a detailed account of the events.
Furthermore, they claim that crew members who administered first aid have been “warned not to speak” with the bereaved relatives. In a bid for transparency, the family has appealed to passengers on flights ET 950 and ET 500 to come forward with any eyewitness accounts of what transpired in the cabin.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially waded into the matter. NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu confirmed on January 29, 2026, that the authority is aware of the case and is in daily contact with both the family and the airline.
While Ethiopian Airlines has reportedly submitted an initial report to the regulator, the NCAA is currently awaiting further documentation from the family to facilitate a full investigation. Legal representatives for the Adiele family have been instructed to pursue all lawful steps to obtain answers, as the public demand for accountability from the carrier continues to grow.
