Missing Nigerian woman found safe in Qatar hospital

A 37-year-old Nigerian woman, Saratu Jibo, who was declared missing by her family after arriving in Qatar, has been found safe at a hospital in the Middle Eastern country.

The development was confirmed on Sunday by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who said Jibo had been cleared by Qatari authorities and was reunited with her belongings and family.

Jibo travelled from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Qatar on Tuesday aboard Qatar Airways.

Her family raised the alarm on Friday after she became unreachable following her arrival in Doha.

Her brother, Jonathan Jibo, had said the last communication he had with his sister was while she was airborne and connected to the aircraft’s Wi-Fi.

According to him, Jibo did not contact the person assigned to pick her up from the airport after the flight landed.

When the person went to the airport to make enquiries, officials reportedly confirmed that Jibo had collected her luggage.

Achimugu subsequently disclosed that the airline had reviewed CCTV footage and confirmed that Jibo arrived safely, picked up her luggage and exited the terminal.

In a further update, the NCAA official said Jibo’s mobile phone and international passport had been held by Qatari Customs authorities while they sought clarification on certain issues.

“I have spoken with the lady. She is safe. Her mobile phone and international passport were held by Customs, who were trying to clarify some issues,” Achimugu said.

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He explained that Jibo was unable to contact anyone during the process but had since been cleared and released.

“She has been cleared and released, and has possession of her properties. She has contacted her family, too,” he added.

Achimugu also said Jibo assured him that she was safe and expressed appreciation to those who showed concern over her disappearance.

He commended Yusuf Adesoga, a Nigerian resident in Qatar, for visiting various security agencies in the country in an effort to establish Jibo’s whereabouts.

Providing further details, Jibo’s brother said she was taken to a hospital after she reportedly fell ill at the airport.

Jonathan expressed appreciation to Achimugu, the Nigerian Embassy in Doha and Qatar Airways for their intervention in locating and assisting his sister.

The development has brought relief to Jibo’s family and Nigerians who had expressed concern over her whereabouts after her arrival in Qatar.