NCAA confirms missing Nigerian woman in Qatar found safe on arrival, awaiting hotel confirmation

Abdullateef Fowewe

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that CCTV footage from Qatar Airways shows the 37-year-old Nigerian woman, whose sudden disappearance after landing in Doha sparked a viral family appeal, arrived safely, collected her luggage, and exited the terminal following her flight from Lagos on QR 1408.

NCAA Public Affairs Director Michael Achimugu in a statement on Saturday said the confirmation came “via the airline,” adding that “CCTV shows your sister arrived safely, pick her bags, and exit the terminal.”

However, due to public holidays in Qatar, further verification of whether she reached her pre-booked hotel a visa requirement is expected later today or tomorrow.

He explained, “Because yesterday and today are more like public holidays for the guys over there, investigations are a little slow, but later today or tomorrow, we will be able to confirm if she arrived at the hotel she booked, and if she got there via the hotel pick-up vehicle.”

Authorities have already flagged potential human trafficking and forced labour risks.

Achimugu said he “informed the airline of fears about human trafficking, forced labour, etc.” and noted that once the hotel confirms her check-in status, “the issue becomes easier to treat.”

He added a contingency, “If she did not arrive at the hotel, a manhunt would ensue. It is easy to track people once they have arrived in Doha.”

The update responds to the family’s viral post about her unexplained disappearance despite her prior airport experience and full travel preparations.

Achimugu advised, “If you have not heard from her, please, remain calm until tomorrow.”

Further details are expected once Discover Qatar verifies the hotel name and confirms whether she checked in or used the hotel pickup service, as “every Qatar visa booking must be tied to a specific hotel reservation.”