A 37-year-old Nigerian woman whose whereabouts became unknown shortly after arriving in Doha, Qatar, has been found in a hospital.
The development ended days of anxiety for her family and others who joined the search.
Her brother, Jonathan Jibo, confirmed the development on Sunday.
According to him, she became ill after arriving in the country and was taken from the airport to a hospital.
“Good news… My sister has been found today, she was sick and was taken to the hospital from the airport,” Jibo said in an update on X.
The woman had travelled from Lagos to Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR1408 and was making her first trip to Qatar, her brother said
Concern mounted after her family could not establish contact with her around the time she arrived, despite having arranged accommodation and a person to receive her at the airport.
The designated pickup person reportedly waited at the airport but was unable to locate her, while the family also became increasingly worried because she had no friends in Qatar.
The woman, who had worked at Lagos airport for almost 12 years, was expected to begin a new job in Doha weeks after her arrival.
Her disappearance prompted appeals on social media and calls for assistance from the Nigerian Embassy in Doha, Qatar Airways and other relevant authorities.
The situation took another turn when the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed that checks with the airline showed that she had arrived in Doha and left the airport.
“I have confirmed, via the airline, that CCTV shows your sister arrived safely, picked her bags, and exited the terminal,” Achimugu had said.
The confirmation established that she had not disappeared inside the airport, but questions remained about where she went after leaving the terminal and whether she had reached the accommodation arranged for her.
Achimugu later disclosed that information had emerged indicating that the woman was safe and had been sighted, although he withheld further details pending direct confirmation from her.
“I am being informed that the lady is safe, and has been sighted. She is with fellow Nigerians at the moment, but I cannot disclose details until I have heard from her directly. All will be well,” he said.
The subsequent confirmation from her brother provided the family with clarity on what had happened, with Jibo revealing that illness had led to her being taken to hospital from the airport.
Jibo expressed appreciation to Nigerians and others who helped draw attention to the case and support efforts to locate his sister.
He specifically thanked the Nigerian Embassy in Doha, Qatar Airways and Achimugu, as well as people who shared and amplified his appeals online.
“My family and I are forever grateful,” he said.
The family had earlier feared for the woman’s safety because she was new to Qatar, had no known friends there and had lost contact with them after her arrival.
Her discovery in hospital has now brought an end to the immediate search, although details surrounding her illness and the circumstances leading to her hospitalisation were not immediately disclosed.
The incident highlights the importance of accessible consular support for Nigerians travelling or relocating abroad, particularly those making their first trip to a country where they have no established personal network.
Nigeria maintains a diplomatic mission in Doha, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nigerians in the Middle East to keep emergency communication channels with their missions.
In March 2026, the ministry published emergency contact numbers for the Nigerian Embassy in Doha for citizens requiring assistance.
Qatar also provides official channels through which people can seek emergency assistance from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including a service that allows requests for help to be submitted in real time.
For travellers arriving through Qatar, Hamad International Airport is the country’s principal international aviation gateway, while airlines operating there provide assistance to passengers from arrival through immigration, baggage and onward movement where such support is required.
Qatar Airways, for instance, says its ground teams can assist passengers through arrival procedures and baggage formalities.
Qatar’s immigration authorities also require visitors and expatriates to comply with the conditions attached to their entry status, while residence procedures for new expatriates include medical examinations and other formalities after arrival.
(Daily Trust)
