The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has responded to concerns over the whereabouts of a Nigerian woman, Saratu Jibo Yusuf, who became unreachable after travelling from Lagos to Doha on a Qatar Airways flight, saying available CCTV footage reportedly shows that she arrived safely, collected her luggage and exited the airport terminal.
The clarification followed a viral appeal by her brother, Jonathan Jibo, who said the 37-year-old had not been heard from for more than 48 hours after boarding Qatar Airways flight QR 1408 from Lagos to Doha on Tuesday.
According to Jibo, the family last communicated with Yusuf through WhatsApp while she was connected to the aircraft’s WiFi during the journey.
“It’s been 48 hours+ My sister boarded a flight from Lagos International Airport to Doha Qatar (QR 1408) on Tuesday, 2nd flight. The person who is to pick her up in the airport was waiting already. The problem is the flight landed safely but he never gets to see her,” he wrote on X.
He said the person who was supposed to receive her at the airport waited for her but did not see her emerge, despite information from airline officials that she had already collected her luggage.
Jibo said his sister had worked at an airport for nearly 12 years and was familiar with travel procedures, although the Doha trip was her first journey abroad.
He added that she had already paid for accommodation months before the trip and was expected to resume work in Doha some weeks after her arrival.
According to him, the travel arrangement was facilitated by a long-time family friend.
Jibo said he had asked the agent involved in the trip to make a report to the relevant authorities and assist in obtaining CCTV footage that could establish Yusuf’s movements after she landed.
“I told the agent to file a report with the authorities and we have been communicating well so we can see the CCTV camera footage of her ‘last seen’ and identify who was with her last that can give us a lead,” he said.
He also expressed concern that her phone had remained unreachable and that she had no known friends in Qatar.
Responding to the family’s concerns on Saturday, NCAA spokesman Michael Achimugu said he had contacted the airline and received information that CCTV footage showed Yusuf arriving at Doha airport, collecting her luggage and leaving the terminal.
“I have confirmed, via the airline, that CCTV shows your sister arrived safely, pick her bags, and exit the terminal,” Achimugu said.
He explained that efforts were still ongoing to establish what happened after she left the airport.
According to him, authorities were expected to determine whether Yusuf arrived at the hotel connected to her travel arrangement and whether she used any designated hotel pick-up vehicle.
Achimugu said the process had been slowed by the weekend in Qatar but further information was expected once checks were completed.
He explained that Qatar travel arrangements of the type involved are usually linked to specific hotel reservations, making it possible to trace whether a passenger eventually checked into the accommodation listed in the booking.
“DISCOVER QATAR will check to confirm the name of her hotel, and whether your sister did, indeed, get to the hotel,” he said.
Achimugu further disclosed that Qatar Airways had been informed of the family’s fears, including concerns about possible human trafficking or forced labour.
According to him, the airline indicated that confirmation of whether Yusuf checked into the hotel would provide an important lead in determining the next course of action.
“They have assured that once the hotel confirms her check-in or otherwise, the issue becomes easier to treat. If she did not arrive at the hotel, a manhunt would ensue. It is easy to track people once they have arrived in Doha,” he stated.
The NCAA spokesman urged the family to remain calm while the checks continued, stressing that his intervention was outside his direct regulatory responsibility but was intended to assist in resolving the matter.
“If you have not heard from her, please, remain calm until tomorrow,” he said.
He added: “This isn’t my purview. Just going out of the way, please.”
As of the NCAA’s latest clarification, there was no indication that Yusuf disappeared while onboard the Qatar Airways flight or inside the airport terminal. The outstanding question remains her whereabouts after she reportedly collected her luggage and exited the terminal, with authorities expected to establish whether she subsequently reached her booked accommodation.
