Nigerian Family Worried as Woman Goes Missing After Landing in Doha

The family of a 37-year-old Nigerian woman is worried after losing contact with her shortly after she arrived in Doha, Qatar. The woman, Saratu Jibo Yusuf, travelled from Lagos to Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR1408 on September 1, according to her ticket.

Her brother, Jonathan Jibo, told PREMIUM TIMES that the last time he spoke to his sister was through WhatsApp while she was still on the plane, using the Wi-Fi. He said a family friend who was meant to pick her up at the airport was already there when the flight landed, but could not find her.

The family reached out to both the airline and the airport. They were informed that Ms Yusuf had picked up her luggage and left the airport. Mr Jibo mentioned that this situation is especially concerning because his sister knows airport procedures well, having worked at the Lagos airport for nearly 12 years.

“She is not even a child. She is 37 and always wants to be independent and hardworking,” he told PREMIUM TIMES. According to him, this was Ms Yusuf’s first trip outside Nigeria. She did not have any friends in Qatar for the family to contact right away, and they had already arranged and paid for her accommodation months before her trip.

She was also set to start work in Doha a few weeks after her arrival, he said. Mr Jibo added that his sister paid for the trip herself and that the family did not expect her to cut off communication right after arriving. “She worked and financed everything from scratch,” Mr Jibo said, showing his worry over her safety.

Mr Jibo raised the alarm on Thursday after 48 hours of not hearing from his sister. He asked for the review of CCTV footage and urged authorities to find out who was the last person seen with her after she left the airport. The family has also shared details about the case with Nigerian authorities and the Nigerian Embassy in Doha, hoping to find her.

This case has brought attention to how important it is to trace passengers who go missing after leaving airports. In May 2024, a similar case involved Janet Kwalmi Ere, a 67-year-old woman who arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from London. Ms Ere was reported missing after getting into an airport taxi shortly after landing. Former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce called for a review of airport CCTV footage and to identify the taxi she took.

Three days later, Mr Murray-Bruce announced that Ms Ere had been found and thanked security agencies and others who helped in the search. He did not provide details on how or where she was located. This earlier case shows how important it is to quickly find out what happens to passengers after they leave an airport, especially when their families cannot reach them.

In response to this new situation, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said he contacted the airline. He was informed that CCTV footage showed Ms Yusuf arrived safely, collected her luggage, and left the terminal.

He said they are still checking to see if she reached the hotel that was booked for her and whether she used the hotel’s pick-up vehicle. Mr Achimugu explained that Qatar’s visa booking system is linked to a specific hotel reservation, and Discover Qatar could check the accommodation details connected to Ms Yusuf’s trip.

He also mentioned that he had informed the airline about the family's worries, including fears about human trafficking or forced labor. However, Mr Achimugu did not say that Ms Yusuf had been trafficked, abducted, or forced into labor. He stated that if checks show she did not reach the hotel, authorities would need to start a manhunt.

He urged the family to stay calm while efforts to find her continue. He added that although this matter is not formally his responsibility, he had stepped in to help the family. He also noted that the investigation was taking longer because it was a weekend and a public holiday in Qatar.

Qatar Airways responded on Saturday after Mr Jibo reached out, sending them his sister’s flight details and asking for help. In a message seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the airline acknowledged the family's concerns and said they were in touch with their team to find information that could help clarify the situation.

“Hello, Jonathan. We understand your concern and are in touch with our team to inquire about any information that may help clarify the situation,” the airline said. They promised to share updates as soon as they could. The airline’s response came after the family had spent days trying to figure out where Ms Yusuf was.

As of Sunday morning, there was no confirmation from the family, Qatar Airways, or Nigerian authorities that Ms Yusuf had been found.