Bishop Kenneth Obi, a U.S.-based cleric, has been left stranded in Nigeria after Delta Airlines refused to allow him to board his return flight to the United States.
Obi arrived in Nigeria on February 18 for a church anniversary, with events in Edo State from February 19 to 21, followed by another program in Imo State from March 5 to 9. However, on March 12, while preparing to leave Imo State, Obi discovered that his green card was missing.
After reporting the loss to the police, Obi obtained an affidavit and an e-copy of his green card, along with other travel documents. He headed to Lagos to board his return flight, which was scheduled for March 19. But upon arrival at the airport, his flight was canceled, and the airline refused to let him board, citing the missing green card.
Obi met with a manager at Delta Airlines, who referred him to the U.S. embassy for further verification of his documents. Embassy officials confirmed the validity of his travel documents and stated that the airline should allow him to board. However, the airline insisted that Obi would need official travel documents from the embassy before he could fly.
Frustrated and running out of options, Obi returned to the embassy, where he was informed that if the airline refused to board him, he would have to begin the process of obtaining new travel documents, though no timeline was provided.
The cleric expressed his distress over the situation, citing the emotional and financial toll his prolonged stay in Nigeria is causing.
