A 23-year-old Nigerian woman, identified as Osarugbe, has passed away in Libya after battling a severe illness.
She died on Friday, April 4, 2025, at around 11:33 AM, after efforts to receive medical treatment were thwarted.
Anti-human trafficking advocate Yakubu Oyiza and her team had been raising funds to transport Osarugbe back to Nigeria for better medical care, as hospitals in Libya had reportedly refused her treatment. However, despite these efforts, the young woman succumbed to her illness.
Oyiza confirmed that arrangements for her burial, autopsy, and land for her final resting place had been made in Libya, totaling approximately 350,000 naira.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, April 5, Oyiza expressed her dismay over the actions of the deceased’s family, alleging that they had abandoned Osarugbe during her critical illness.
She claimed that the family had previously refused to pick her up from Kano when she was supposed to be brought back to Nigeria.
Oyiza also shared that, instead of inquiring about the well-being of their late relative, some of Osarugbe’s family members had contacted them demanding her belongings.
“Since yesterday, I called Osarugbe’s family to inform them of her passing, but they haven’t followed up to ask how she’s doing,” she wrote. “We sent 350k for her burial, but now they’re asking for more. And worst of all, they are calling for her properties.”
Expressing her frustration, Oyiza added, “We haven’t even laid her to rest yet, and they are already causing trouble over her belongings. Most of these young girls fleeing to Libya have something haunting them. I am devastated by this whole situation.”
The case has raised serious concerns about the plight of young Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad and the family dynamics in times of crisis.
