Nigeria summons Spanish envoy over deportee's death

Nigeria has summoned the Spanish ambassador to explain the circumstances surrounding the mysterious death last month of an immigrant while being deported to the west African country.

Osamyia Aikpitanhi, a 23-year-old Nigerian, died on June 9 aboard an Iberia flight to Lagos.

Describing the death as a "tremendous tragedy," foreign affairs official Hakeem Ahmed said "The country has a duty to investigate the case," after meeting on Friday with Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Angel Losada.

Losada said the case was already being investigated by his home government and pledged that "all information will be made available."

He said the victim had been arrested in Spain for various offences, including rape and assault before his eventual deportation last month.

"This is the third time the victim was being deported. His right will be preserved and justice will prevail," he assured.

Hundreds of Nigerians, in search of greener pasture, enter Europe and America illegally annually and most of them wind up deported.