Odunayo Eniola Isaac, a young Nigerian woman from Osun State, South-West Nigeria, has issued a desperate plea for assistance after enduring nearly two years of horrific abuse in Iraq. Odunayo was reportedly a victim of human trafficking orchestrated by one Alhaja Yusuf Shakira, also known as Mama Uganda, who allegedly deceived her with promises of a better life abroad.
Odunayo narrated her ordeal, marked by inhumane treatment, brutal physical torture, and relentless dehumanization at the hands of her employer, Saba Akram, and his wife. She implored Nigerian authorities to intervene immediately, fearing that her life is at risk if she remains in Iraq.
“I am certain I will lose my life if I stay here any longer,” Odunayo tearfully recounted through Hopes Haven Foundation, a Nigerian-based human rights advocacy organization.
A Tragic Journey of Betrayal and Exploitation
In February 2023, Odunayo left Nigeria after being lured by Alhaja Shakira and an Iraqi agency, Blend Warani, with the promise of a domestic job opportunity. However, upon arrival in Iraq, Odunayo was subjected to harrowing working conditions. Forced to work up to 20 hours daily with minimal sleep, her plight was further compounded by the severe physical abuse inflicted by her employers.
Odunayo alleged that her employer’s wife once attempted to kill her by attacking her with an iron rod and hot water. She narrowly escaped to a nearby police station, where she has been detained since.
She revealed how her passport, clothes, and phone were seized upon arrival, cutting off all communication with her family and isolating her from any help. Her wages for nearly two years of work have not been paid, and she has been accused falsely of attempting to escape.
“I was locked inside the house where I worked, and my phone was seized. They beat me with iron rods constantly and made me work from 6 a.m. to 3 or 4 a.m. the following day. I hardly slept for more than three or four hours daily,” she lamented.
Desperate Escape and Ongoing Trauma
In July 2023, her employer falsely accused her of fleeing, prompting the Blend Warani agency to refund the employer and abandon her to her fate. Despite enduring unspeakable suffering, Odunayo managed to flee to a police station after narrowly surviving another attack.
From the Iraqi immigration center, where she remains under unclear circumstances, Odunayo said, “I want to go back home to Nigeria, but my employer has my passport and belongings. For almost two years, I have not been paid anything.”
Her family, concerned for her safety, contacted Hopes Haven Foundation in October 2023. The foundation’s investigation uncovered a disturbing video of Odunayo in distress, circulating on WhatsApp. The organization wrote to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, for urgent intervention.
Advocacy Efforts and Call for Justice
Hopes Haven Foundation described Odunayo’s ordeal as a glaring example of human rights violations, labor exploitation, and trafficking. In its letters to NAPTIP and Hon. Okere, the foundation demanded swift action, including:
- Recovery of all wages owed to Odunayo and compensation for medical and psychological damages.
- Accountability for her employers for torture, false allegations, and labor law violations.
- Facilitation of Odunayo’s safe return to Nigeria and support for her reintegration.
“We are deeply outraged that a Nigerian citizen, in pursuit of a livelihood, was subjected to such gross violations of human dignity and labor rights,” the letter stated.
The foundation urged NAPTIP to ensure justice while highlighting the need for stronger protections for Nigerians seeking employment abroad.
Responses from Authorities
When SaharaReporters contacted Alhaja Shakira for clarification on Odunayo’s plight and her role in the trafficking operation, she claimed to be unwell due to high blood pressure and promised to provide documentation later. However, despite follow-up inquiries, she failed to respond further.
The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) acknowledged the case as human trafficking, noting that NAPTIP and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) are responsible for such matters. NiDCOM’s Head of Media Unit, Abdulrahman Balogun, emphasized the importance of Nigerians abroad belonging to organized groups, such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), to facilitate assistance in times of crisis.
NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, expressed unawareness of the matter but pledged to act after receiving details. He acknowledged a letter from Hopes Haven Foundation and promised to follow up.
A Grim Reminder
Odunayo’s ordeal underscores the perils faced by victims of human trafficking and the urgent need for stringent measures to protect vulnerable Nigerians. Her case remains a disturbing testament to the exploitation faced by many in search of better opportunities abroad.
Hopes Haven Foundation and concerned authorities are rallying to ensure her safe return and justice for the abuses she suffered.
