A woman from Ibadan, Ogundele Oluwakemi Victoria, is reportedly in a critical condition in Iraq following alleged trafficking, with claims of prolonged abuse, starvation and a suspected attempt to harvest her organs.
The case was disclosed by Damilola Adekola of Hopes Haven Foundation, who raised concerns over the victim’s deteriorating health, noting that her condition had worsened significantly.
Adekola said there were indications that the victim’s mental health had been affected after enduring sustained neglect and maltreatment.
Speaking on the development, the victim’s sister, Titilayo Victoria, said the family only became aware of her travel plans shortly before she left Nigeria.
She explained that Victoria informed her about the trip just two days before departure, adding that the agent allegedly instructed her not to disclose the arrangement until it was finalised.
Despite attempts to dissuade her, the victim reportedly went ahead with the journey after being told it could not be cancelled.
While in Iraq, she was said to have maintained limited contact with her relatives, during which she complained of harsh conditions and lack of adequate food.
A Nigerian resident in Iraq, identified as Lady B, also narrated the victim’s ordeal, alleging that she faced exploitation and intimidation from her employers.
According to her, the agent continued to demand money from the victim even after collecting several months’ earnings.
She further claimed that the victim narrowly escaped a suspected organ harvesting plot after being taken to a hospital, where a nurse allegedly warned her to flee.
The victim was said to have escaped to a police station but was later returned to an agency, where she was reportedly reassigned to another household.
At the new location, she was allegedly denied access to communication devices and threatened by her employer.
Her whereabouts reportedly remained unknown for months until she was later traced to an agency facility in Baghdad, where she was found in a severely weakened state.
Sources said she was unable to speak and appeared mentally unstable after spending weeks without proper care before some Nigerians intervened to assist her.
Another Nigerian, identified as Mama Tee, confirmed efforts to support the victim, stating that a nurse who examined her reported that she was not mentally stable.
She added that the agency had threatened to abandon the victim if no one took responsibility for her.
Victoria has since been relocated from the facility and is currently under the care of concerned individuals, but she is said to require urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, the agent who facilitated her trip, identified as Mr Kazeem, acknowledged his role in her travel but denied responsibility for her current condition, saying she had been handed over to another handler.
Reacting, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons condemned the incident and pledged to take action.
The agency’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, said efforts were underway to rescue the victim and investigate those involved, adding that she might have evaded earlier interception attempts.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent problem of human trafficking involving Nigerian women to the Middle East, with stakeholders warning that many remain vulnerable to exploitation in the absence of stronger safeguards and awareness.