NiDCOM repatriates body of Nigerian woman who died in Iraq

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed the repatriation of a Nigerian woman who tragically lost her life in Iraq while seeking better opportunities.

The commission’s chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this in a post on her X.com handle, which was obtained on Tuesday.

Her statement came in response to discussions about the challenges many Nigerians face abroad, following earlier warnings she issued on Sunday.

Dabiri-Erewa had previously cautioned that several Nigerians who relocated overseas were now struggling with regret and depression.

Her comments were in reaction to concerns raised by UK-based Nigerian lawyer Dele Olawanle, who highlighted the increasingly difficult conditions for immigrants in the United Kingdom.

Olawanle advised Nigerians to carefully evaluate their decisions before leaving their stable lives behind.

He warned that relocating without proper planning could lead to uncertainty and hardship. Echoing this sentiment, Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to think critically before migrating, stating, “The grass is not greener on the other side; it’s greener where you nurture it.”

Following her remarks, she faced criticism from some Nigerians online but reinforced her stance by sharing a tragic incident involving a Nigerian woman who had traveled to Iraq in search of a better life but did not survive.

“The issues are with those migrating irregularly, often into uncertainty. Just a few days ago, we helped bring back a man’s wife’s body in a bag. She left for Iraq in search of greener pastures, but instead, her corpse was returned,” she revealed. She also noted that another Nigerian woman suffering from depression was recently brought back home with NiDCOM’s assistance.

While acknowledging that Nigerians have the freedom to travel abroad, she warned against venturing into dangerous and uncertain situations.

This case is similar to that of 28-year-old Eniola Isaac, who was trafficked to Iraq under false pretenses. After enduring abuse and mistreatment from her employer, she sought help from the Nigerian authorities and was successfully repatriated in January.

NiDCOM also confirmed that it is investigating another case involving a Nigerian worker who died in Iraq under suspicious circumstances. The Nigerian government has demanded an autopsy to determine the cause of death.