After enduring nearly two years of harrowing abuse and enslavement in Iraq, 28-year-old Odunayo Eniola Isaac is set to return to Nigeria today, January 3, 2025. Her rescue comes in the wake of a SaharaReporters exposé that highlighted her plight, prompting swift action by officials from the Nigerian mission in Jordan, which oversees Iraqi affairs.
Odunayo, a native of Osun State in southwest Nigeria, was lured to Iraq in February 2023 by Alhaja Yusuf Shakira, infamously known as “Mama Uganda,” under the guise of securing a better life. Trafficked through an Iraqi agency, Blend Warani, she was promised a lucrative job opportunity but instead faced unimaginable suffering.
Upon arrival in Iraq, Odunayo was employed as a domestic worker under Saba Akram and his wife. However, instead of finding the promised opportunities, she was subjected to:
- Inhumane working conditions: Forced to work up to 20 hours daily without rest.
- Physical abuse: Her employers reportedly used tasers and metal rods to inflict brutal harm.
- Emotional torment: Isolated from family and friends after her phone was confiscated.
Her employer’s wife even attempted to kill her with an iron rod and hot water, forcing Odunayo to flee to a nearby police station.
Iraq: The Cry for Help
In a desperate plea to SaharaReporters through the Nigerian-based Hopes Haven Foundation, Odunayo recounted her ordeal and begged for assistance. She feared for her life and said she could not survive much longer in Iraq.
In July 2023, her employer falsely accused her of running away despite being held captive and tortured. Her emotional and psychological well-being deteriorated rapidly under the relentless abuse and isolation.
The Nigerian mission in Jordan acted promptly following the report, ensuring her release and safe passage back to Nigeria. Abdulrahman Balogun, Head of the Media Unit at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), confirmed her departure from Baghdad via EgyptAir on Thursday.
- Odunayo departed Baghdad at 5 pm Thursday for Cairo.
- She is scheduled to leave Cairo at 9 am Friday and arrive in Abuja by 1:30 pm via EgyptAir.
Balogun also disclosed ongoing investigations into another case involving a Nigerian carer who died under suspicious circumstances in Iraq.
Iraq: Warning Against Traffickers
NiDCOM has issued a stern warning to Nigerians against falling prey to unscrupulous agents luring young women to Iraq and other countries with false promises of better opportunities. Many victims face enslavement, abuse, and even death.
The case of Odunayo has sparked outrage, with calls for stricter measures against human traffickers and better protections for Nigerians abroad. Advocacy groups and government agencies have emphasized the need for vigilance and public awareness to prevent future tragedies.
Odunayo’s safe return marks the end of a horrific chapter in her life. Her story serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder of the dangers posed by human trafficking. The public now looks to the government to ensure justice for Odunayo and greater efforts to combat trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable citizens.