Uncertainty as Nigerian woman remains unreachable after arriving Doha airport

The family of a 37-year-old Nigerian woman who travelled to Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday has raised concerns after she became unreachable shortly after arriving in the country.

The woman, Saratu Jibo Yusuf, travelled from Lagos to Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR1408 on 1 September, according to her ticket, which PREMIUM TIMES saw.

Her brother, Jonathan Jibo, told PREMIUM TIMES that the last communication he had with his sister was via WhatsApp while she was still on the aircraft, using its Wi-Fi, on Tuesday.

He said a family friend who was expected to receive her at the airport was already waiting when the flight arrived, but could not find her.

The family subsequently contacted the airline and the airport, where they were told that Ms Yusuf had collected her luggage and left the terminal.

Mr Jibo said the issue was particularly worrying because his sister was familiar with airport procedures, having worked at the Lagos airport for almost 12 years.

“She is not even a child. She is 37 and always wants to be independent and hardworking,” he told PREMIUM TIMES.

According to him, this was Ms Yusuf’s first trip outside Nigeria. She had no friends in Qatar whom the family could contact immediately, and the family had already arranged and paid for her accommodation months before the journey.

She was also expected to resume work in Doha a few weeks after her arrival, he said.

Mr Jibo added that his sister had financed the trip herself and that the family had no reason to expect she would voluntarily cut off communication immediately upon arrival.

“She worked and financed everything from scratch,” Mr Jibo said, expressing concern over her whereabouts.

Family seeks answers

Mr Jibo raised the alarm on Thursday after 48 hours without hearing from his sister.

He called for the review of CCTV footage and urged authorities to establish the last person seen with her after she left the airport.

The family has also forwarded details of the case to the Nigerian authorities and the Nigerian Embassy in Doha, with relatives hoping to learn her whereabouts.

The case has drawn attention to the importance of tracing the movements of passengers who become unreachable after leaving airports.

In May 2024, a similar concern was raised over Janet Kwalmi Ere, a 67-year-old woman who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from London.

Ms Ere was reported missing after boarding an airport taxi shortly after her arrival. Former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce called for airport CCTV footage to be reviewed and for the taxi she boarded to be identified.

Three days later, Mr Murray-Bruce announced that Ms Ere had been found and thanked security agencies and others who assisted in the search. He did not disclose details of where or how she was located.

The earlier case highlights the importance of quickly establishing what happens to passengers after they leave an airport, particularly when their families are unable to reach them.

NCAA reaction

Reacting to the development, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said he had contacted the airline and was informed that CCTV footage showed Ms Yusuf arrived safely, collected her luggage and exited the terminal.

He said further checks were being made to establish whether she had reached the hotel booked for her and whether she had arrived there by the hotel’s pick-up vehicle.

According to Mr Achimugu, Qatar’s visa booking system is tied to a specific hotel reservation, and Discover Qatar would be able to check the accommodation details linked to Ms Yusuf’s trip.

He also said he had informed the airline of the family’s concerns, including fears about possible human trafficking or forced labour.

Mr Achimugu, however, did not say Ms Yusuf had been trafficked, abducted or subjected to forced labour.

He said if checks established that she did not reach the hotel, authorities would have to begin a manhunt.

He urged the family to remain calm while efforts to establish her whereabouts continued, adding that although the matter was not formally within his purview, he had intervened to assist the family.

He also said the investigation was taking time because it was the weekend and a public holiday period in Qatar.

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Airline responds

Qatar Airways responded to the issue on Saturday after Mr Jibo’s message to the airline. He sent the airline his sister’s flight details and asked it to investigate the matter.

In a message seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the airline said it understood the family’s concerns and was in contact with its team to obtain information that could help clarify the situation.

“Hello, Jonathan. We understand your concern and are in touch with our team to inquire about any information that may help clarify the situation,” the airline said.

It added that it would share updates as soon as they became available.

The airline’s response came after the family had spent days trying to establish Ms Yusuf’s whereabouts.

As of Sunday morning, there was no confirmation from the family, Qatar Airways or Nigerian authorities that Ms Yusuf had been found.