72-year-old Nigerian man hospitalised after being zip tied for 8 hours

An elderly Nigerian man was hospitalized after being restrained on a Chicago-bound Emirates flight from Dubai.

According to the airline, David Okesone, 72, was restrained when he became unruly mid-flight on Tuesday, January 23

When the passenger jet landed in Chicago, the man identified as David Okesone, was handed over to authorities and taken by police to the hospital following the incident.

An Emirates spokesperson, who confirmed the incident said that crew followed the standard protocol to secure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers mid-flight when it physically restrained the man.

“Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour,”  he said.

“The passenger was handed over to the authorities on arrival in Chicago,” said the spokesperson in an emailed statement.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised,” the spokesperson added.

However,  his family doubts this and demands answers. Chicago-based television channel, WGNTV aired a news segment containing allegations by the family that Okesone suffered injuries from the reported skirmish aboard the flight.

The Okesone family said in the televised interviews that their father had never been on a plane before, and it was his first time flying

His children said there was no issue on his flight from Nigeria to Dubai. But from Dubai to Chicago, there was a misunderstanding that led to their father being restrained for more than eight-hours — ultimately sending him to the hospital.

According to the family, he unknowingly sat in the wrong seat. When the crew moved him, and wouldn’t let him get his carry-on. They restrained him, leaving him zip tied for eight-hours.

Ukesone’s family shared images of injuries to their father’s head and where his arms and legs were restrained by flight attendants.