Odunayo Eniola Isaac, victim of alleged human trafficking by Alhaja Yusuf Shakira, returns to Nigeria after 22 months of forced labour, abuse in Iraq

January 08, 2024

By Adedoja Adesoji

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has commenced a rehabilitation program for Odunayo Eniola Isaac, a 28-year-old Nigerian woman who was trafficked to Iraq by Alhaja Yusuf Shakira, notoriously known as Mama Uganda. Odunayo was brutally treated and forced into labor for 22 months.

Odunayo arrived in Nigeria on January 3, 2025.

The Yoruba Times had earlier reported about of Odunayo ordeal in Iraq with the alleged trafficker, Alhaja Yusuf Shakira popular known as Mama Uganda.

Her return was facilitated by the Nigerian mission in Jordan, which oversees Iraq.

According to Odunayo, she was lured to Iraq by Alhaja Shakira with promises of a better life.

However, upon arrival, she was subjected to inhumane treatment, physical torture, and dehumanizing conditions by her Iraqi employer, Saba Akram, and his spouse.

Odunayo’s emotional and psychological well-being was severely compromised, and she was forced to work for 20 hours a day with little rest.

When she requested her salary, her employer confiscated her phone and subjected her to physical abuse.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed sadness over Odunayo’s traumatic experience and ordered the immediate commencement of a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

“I just finished interacting with the victim. I must say that she had a close shave with death, and we are all happy that she is alive to tell her painful story,” Bello said.

Bello directed the relevant departments to commence immediate profiling, interviews, and rehabilitation for Odunayo. “This is to enable the agency to assess her medical status, the nature of assistance and skills needed, and to design a plan for ensuring her reunion with her family.”

Odunayo thanked God for her survival, saying, “I will not wish that my enemy passes through what I experienced. I never thought I could survive the painful ordeal.”

Bello urged Nigerian youths and parents to be cautious when accepting job offers abroad. “Over the past few months, we have intercepted scores of youths, mostly girls, at various points of exit across Nigeria, and their destinations have been some of the volatile countries in the Middle East.”

Bello emphasized the importance of verifying job offers through NAPTIP to avoid falling victim to human trafficking. “Certainly, a dangerous journey of this nature could have been avoided with simple caution and a check from NAPTIP.”