July 22, 2026
BASRA, IRAQ — Five Nigerian workers stranded in Basra, Iraq, have appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention following the death of a colleague in an industrial accident, alleging they were deceived by labour recruiters and forced into dangerous factory jobs under harsh working conditions.
The workers called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to facilitate their immediate return to Nigeria, saying they fear for their safety and health.
According to the workers, they travelled to Iraq after being promised jobs as forklift operators, hotel cleaners, and security guards. However, upon arrival, they were allegedly assigned to physically demanding factory work that differed significantly from the employment contracts presented to them in Nigeria.
The stranded workers identified themselves as Ambali Sikirullahi Ayomide, Adebayo Tajudeen Olalekan, Oduola Afeez Odunayo, Idowu Olalekan Jimoh, and Akinrinola Elijah Damilola.
They claimed that repeated complaints to their labour recruiters and employers were ignored, leaving them trapped in difficult working conditions with expired visas and limited options.
The workers alleged that they were made to work in extreme temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius, operating heavy machinery and performing physically exhausting tasks despite repeatedly raising concerns about safety.
They said the situation worsened after their colleague, Yahaya Abdulrahaman Oladimeji, died in what they described as a preventable accident involving a block-making machine. According to them, they had previously warned management about faults in the equipment before the fatal incident occurred.
The workers further alleged that the factory resumed operations shortly after the tragedy, claiming little concern was shown for the deceased or his colleagues.
Following the incident, the five Nigerians said they no longer feel safe remaining in Iraq and have appealed to Nigerian authorities for immediate repatriation.
They also urged the Federal Government to investigate the labour recruitment process that brought them to Iraq, alleging deceptive recruitment practices, contract substitution, exploitative working conditions, and official neglect.
As of the time of reporting, the labour recruiters and the Iraqi company named by the workers had not publicly responded to the allegations.
The workers insist their only wish is to return home safely, saying they travelled abroad in search of better opportunities—not to risk their lives.
