A Nigerian woman from Ibadan, Oyo State, identified as Ogundele Oluwakemi Victoria, is reportedly in critical condition in Iraq following alleged trafficking, prolonged abuse, starvation, and a suspected attempt at organ harvesting.
The case was brought to public attention by Damilola Adekola of Hopes Haven Foundation, who disclosed that Victoria’s health has deteriorated significantly, with concerns raised about her mental state after months of alleged neglect.
Victoria’s sister, Titilayo Victoria, revealed that the family only became aware of her travel plans shortly before her departure from Nigeria. According to her, the agent handling the trip instructed Victoria to keep the arrangement secret until completion, limiting the family’s ability to intervene.
After arriving in Iraq, Victoria reportedly maintained minimal communication with her family, during which she complained of maltreatment and lack of food.
A Nigerian acquaintance in Iraq, identified as Lady B, provided further details, alleging that Victoria faced financial exploitation, repeated demands for money, and threats from her employers. She also claimed that Victoria narrowly escaped a suspected organ harvesting attempt after being taken to a hospital, where a nurse allegedly warned her to flee.
Victoria was said to have escaped to a police station at one point but was returned to an agency and later reassigned to another household, where her situation reportedly worsened. She was allegedly denied access to her phone and threatened with violence.
Months later, she was traced to an agency office in Baghdad, where she was found in a severely weakened condition.
Another Nigerian, identified as Mama Tee, confirmed that efforts were made to assist Victoria, including sending a nurse to assess her condition. The assessment reportedly indicated that she was not mentally stable and in urgent need of medical care.
Victoria has since been moved from the facility and is currently under the care of concerned individuals, but her condition remains critical.
Her agent, identified as Mr Kazeem, acknowledged facilitating her travel but denied responsibility for her current situation, stating that she had been handed over to another agent abroad.
Meanwhile, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has condemned the incident and pledged immediate intervention.
Spokesperson Vincent Adekoye said the agency may have initially missed the case but assured that steps would be taken to rescue the victim and investigate those involved.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns over human trafficking involving Nigerian women to the Middle East, where many continue to face exploitation and abuse under harsh labour conditions. Advocacy groups have renewed calls for stronger enforcement and increased public awareness to prevent similar cases.
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