Nigerian Woman Rescued From Iraq After 22 Months of Abuse and Forced Labor, Begins Rehabilitation
After enduring nearly two years of physical abuse and inhumane treatment in Iraq, 28-year-old Odunayo Eniola Isaac has finally returned to Nigeria. Her rescue followed a detailed report by SaharaReporters about her ordeal, prompting immediate intervention from Nigerian authorities. Odunayo arrived in Nigeria on January 3, 2025, after the Nigerian mission in Jordan, responsible for overseeing Iraq, took action on her case.
Her journey to recovery began with the intervention of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), which has initiated a comprehensive rehabilitation program. The agency, under the direction of Binta Adamu Bello, has immediately mobilized officers from its Counselling and Rehabilitation Department to assess Odunayo’s physical and emotional needs, ensuring she receives proper care and support.
In December 2024, Odunayo, originally from Osun State in Nigeria’s South-West region, had made a desperate plea for help through the Hopes Haven Foundation, a Nigerian-based human rights advocacy organization. She shared the distressing details of her trafficking experience, revealing how she was lured to Iraq by Alhaja Yusuf Shakira, also known as Mama Uganda, under the false promise of a better life.
Odunayo’s employers, an Iraqi family led by Saba Akram and his wife, subjected her to relentless abuse. She worked long hours, often exceeding twenty hours a day, with minimal rest. When she requested payment for her services, her employer responded with violence—beating her severely and even locking her in a dog cage overnight. Her phone was confiscated to prevent communication with her family, leaving her isolated and without hope.
Her situation worsened after months of unpaid work. Despite her pleas, Odunayo’s salary was never provided, and she was subjected to physical and emotional torture. Desperate for a way out, she reached out for help, fearing for her life if she remained in Iraq any longer.
On her return to Nigeria, NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed deep concern over the trauma Odunayo had endured. “She had a close shave with death,” Bello stated. The agency has begun a thorough process to evaluate her medical and psychological needs, ensuring that she receives the proper support for her healing.
“We are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that Odunayo’s experience serves as a reminder to others. This could have been avoided with proper caution and awareness,” Bello warned, urging Nigerian youth and parents to be wary of deceptive job offers abroad.
Odunayo’s testimony is one of survival, a harrowing tale of resilience amid cruelty. “I thank God I am alive,” she said, reflecting on her journey. “I never thought I could survive the painful ordeal, but I am grateful for the support that brought me back home.”
NAPTIP, along with its partners, including the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s Intelligence Agency, and various embassies, successfully coordinated her rescue and return. As Odunayo embarks on her recovery, NAPTIP remains committed to assisting her and bringing her traffickers to justice, sending a strong message against human trafficking and exploitation.
