A 37-year-old Nigerian woman whose whereabouts became unknown shortly after arriving in Doha, Qatar, has been found in a hospital.
The development has ended days of anxiety for her family and others who joined efforts to locate her.
Her brother, Jonathan Jibo, confirmed the development on Sunday, saying she became ill after arriving in Qatar 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 travelled from Lagos to Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR1408 and was making her first trip to Qatar, according to her brother.
Concern mounted after her family was unable to contact her around the time she arrived, despite arranging accommodation and a person to receive her at the airport.
The designated pickup person reportedly waited at the airport but could not locate her, while the family became increasingly worried because she had no friends or known contacts 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 Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, later disclosed that checks with the airline showed that the woman 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 subsequently said he received information 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.
Her brother’s subsequent confirmation provided the family with clarity, 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 supported efforts to locate his sister.
He specifically thanked the Nigerian Embassy in Doha, Qatar Airways and Achimugu, as well as those 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 lost contact with them after her arrival.
Her discovery in hospital has now brought an end to the immediate search. However, details about her illness and the circumstances that led to her hospitalisation were not immediately disclosed.