Three Nigerian women—Adetunji Opeyemi Elizabeth (36), Aladetan Rachael Tinuola (28), and Adebayo Blessing Favour (24)—are calling for urgent assistance from the Nigerian government after being detained in Baghdad, Iraq, for lacking residence permits. Their journey, initially spurred by hopes of better opportunities, has taken a harrowing turn, leaving them desperate for freedom and a way back home.
“We’re pleading for help to return to Nigeria,” said Adetunji during a phone interview facilitated by the Nigerian human rights group, Hopes Haven Foundation.
The trio, currently held in a prison in Karada, Baghdad, share similar stories of dashed expectations, bureaucratic limbo, and deteriorating conditions.
Adetunji, a graduate who left Nigeria in 2022, shared that her decision to migrate was born out of frustration with the lack of opportunities back home. “Things were not going well since I graduated in 2013. I couldn’t secure a good job. I thought going to Iraq would offer a chance to hustle and improve my life,” she explained.
With the help of a Nigerian agent, Adekunle Oladiola, Adetunji obtained a visa and embarked on the journey, encouraged by her cousin who had successfully worked in Iraq for three years. However, upon arrival at Baghdad Airport, her hopes quickly dimmed.
“We were taken directly from the airport by an agency. Everything was in Arabic. We didn’t even know the name of the office,” Adetunji said.
The agency initially placed her in a salon, but the arrangement ended abruptly after two months, forcing her to spend five months in limbo at the agency’s office. She refused offers to work as a house help and instead reluctantly accepted a caregiving job.
Adetunji recounted a frightening experience with her employer during the caregiving job. “My boss threatened to kill me. He said he would make me return to my country,” she said. Fearing for her safety, she returned to the agency.
Compounding their plight, the agency shut down its operations, leaving Adetunji and others stranded without support or documentation. “They sent some people back to their countries, but they said they had no space for me. I had to fend for myself,” she lamented.
In September 2024, Adetunji and her compatriots were arrested for not possessing valid residence permits. She clarified that their visas were still valid, but the lack of proper documentation placed them in violation of local laws.
“When we were taken to court, we told them we were ready to go back to Nigeria. But they’ve made it impossible for us to book tickets,” she revealed.
While the women report no physical abuse in detention, they described the food as unhealthy and unfit for consumption. “We’re often given spoiled or improperly cooked food. It’s damaging our health,” Adetunji said, adding that she sometimes goes days without eating.
Adetunji’s health is deteriorating, with severe back pain exacerbating her ordeal. “They wanted to take me to a hospital here, but I’m scared. Many people have received wrong treatments and lost their lives,” she said.
Nigeria does not have an embassy in Iraq, leaving the detainees with limited avenues for assistance. Attempts to contact Nigerian communities in Iraq have also been unsuccessful. “We’re completely on our own,” Adetunji admitted.
The absence of institutional support underscores the risks faced by Nigerians who venture abroad in search of better opportunities, often unaware of the legal and social challenges they may encounter.
The women’s plight highlights a recurring issue of young Nigerians seeking greener pastures abroad only to fall victim to harsh realities. In recent years, thousands of Nigerians have been trafficked or stranded in the Middle East under similar circumstances.
Human rights advocates argue that the government must do more to protect citizens abroad and address the systemic issues driving such migrations.
“This is not just about these three women. It’s about a system that fails to provide for its people, forcing them into dangerous situations,” said a representative from Hopes Haven Foundation.
As the weeks drag on, the women’s desperation grows. Adetunji issued an emotional plea: “I’m not feeling well, and I want to go home. This place is not safe for me. Please, let us return to Nigeria.”
