A pall of sorrow has fallen over the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom following the tragic death of Chiowa Obeigbe, a Nigerian man who was reportedly found deceased in his Gloucester apartment after remaining undiscovered for five days.
The devastating news was shared on Monday by fellow UK-based Nigerian, Benjamin Kuti, known as the Oluomo of Derby, who is actively seeking to locate the deceased’s family in Nigeria.
According to Kuti, the circumstances surrounding Obeigbe’s death are currently unclear. However, the immediate concern is notifying his relatives.
“This young man, Chiowa Obeigbe, sadly passed away in his home in Gloucester, UK, and was not discovered for five days,” Kuti wrote. “At the moment, no one knows his relatives or has been able to reach his family. He is said to be from Imo State, Nigeria.”
Kuti, identified as the “founder of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom on Twitter” in his X bio, posted a photograph of Obeigbe’s driving licence and made an urgent appeal to the public for assistance.
“If anyone recognises him or has any information about his family, please help us get in touch with them, or please send me a DM so arrangements can be made to return his body home,” he pleaded.
Obeigbe’s case is the latest in a worrying succession of fatalities involving Nigerian citizens in the diaspora this year, often occurring in isolation or under tragic circumstances.
This news comes less than 48 hours after a similar case in the United States involving Nigerian truck driver, Bode Ologan, who was reportedly found dead inside his truck in Arlington, Texas. A public appeal, including a photo of his driver’s licence, was made to help locate his family.
In May, nurse Nnena Miriam was found dead in her Leeds, UK, apartment after police responded to a missing person report, according to Fellow Nurses Africa.
This year has also seen several violent incidents, including the stabbing death of 23-year-old student nurse Elizabeth Tamilore Odunsi in Texas, US, just two days before her graduation. Additionally, in August, the Metropolitan Police arrested and charged two suspects in connection with the fatal stabbing of 26-year-old Ayowale Aladejana in New Cross, southeast London.
The growing list of such incidents underscores the vulnerability and challenges faced by Nigerians living abroad, particularly the difficulties in promptly locating and contacting family members during times of crisis.
Anyone with information regarding Chiowa Obeigbe’s family is urged to contact Benjamin Kuti (Oluomo of Derby) immediately via direct message on his social media platforms.
