Nigerian father of three found dead in UK apartment days after losing own father

Barely a week after the reported death of a Nigerian mother of three from cancer in the United Kingdom, another tragedy has struck the Nigerian community abroad, as a father of three identified simply as Herbert was found dead in his apartment in Thornaby.

Herbert, who lived in the North East England town, was said to have passed away in his sleep last week, leaving behind his wife and three young children. His sudden death has thrown family members, friends and associates into mourning, particularly coming just days after he lost his father in Nigeria.

In the aftermath of the incident, Herbert’s family has appealed for financial assistance to cover funeral expenses and the cost of repatriating his remains to Nigeria for burial.

Details of the tragedy were shared on Sunday in a post on X by a user known as “The Stress Manager,” who described Herbert as a calm and devoted husband and father. According to the post, Herbert had been battling emotional and financial strain following the recent death of his father.

He was reportedly unable to travel to Nigeria for the burial but contributed financially to ensure his father had what was described as a dignified farewell. The financial commitment, combined with grief, was said to have taken a toll on him.

“Only a few days before his death, he was already dealing with the pain of losing his father in Nigeria. He could not travel for the burial, but he gave everything he had financially to ensure his father had a dignified farewell,” the post stated.

Tragically, Herbert was said to have died on the same day his father was laid to rest in Nigeria.

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The situation became even more heartbreaking when it emerged that Herbert’s children discovered his lifeless body in the apartment while their mother was away at the time.

Family sources described the experience as deeply traumatic, noting that no child should have to encounter such a scene. His wife is now left to care for their three young children, including the youngest, aged eight, while also confronting the financial burden of funeral arrangements and repatriation costs.

A former president of Nigerians in the UK, Benjamin Kuti, confirmed the incident in a post on his X account on Friday and called on members of the Nigerian community in Britain to rally around the bereaved family.

In response, a fundraising campaign has been launched to support Herbert’s widow and children. Appeals have been directed at Nigerians in the diaspora and the wider public to contribute toward the estimated £7,000 needed to cover burial and repatriation expenses.

As of the time this report was filed, £2,633 had been raised toward the target.

The back-to-back losses within the Nigerian community in the UK have sparked renewed conversations about the emotional and financial pressures faced by diaspora families, particularly during times of bereavement.