A wave of sorrow has swept through social media following the tragic death of Osarugbe, a 23-year-old Nigerian woman who passed away in Libya on Friday, April 4, 2025, at approximately 11:33 a.m. The young woman’s death comes after a prolonged battle with illness, leaving many devastated, especially those who had been working tirelessly to ensure her safe return home for medical treatment.
Osarugbe’s heartbreaking story was brought to light by anti-human trafficking advocate Yakubu Oyiza. Oyiza, along with her dedicated team, had been campaigning to raise funds for Osarugbe’s medical care, following repeated refusals by Libyan hospitals to treat the young woman. They had organized efforts to bring her back to Nigeria for proper medical attention, but unfortunately, those efforts were cut short as Osarugbe passed away before she could be flown back to her homeland.
Despite the tragic outcome, Oyiza revealed that all necessary arrangements for Osarugbe’s burial in Libya had been made. This included handling documentation, securing an autopsy, and arranging burial land in Libya, at a cost of approximately ₦350,000. These efforts were made to ensure that Osarugbe would receive a respectful burial, even though she could not be brought back home for treatment in time.
However, what has added even more pain to an already tragic situation is Oyiza’s claim that Osarugbe’s family seemingly abandoned her during her time of need. According to Oyiza, the family refused to travel to Kano to receive Osarugbe when a rescue plan had been put in place. She shared her disappointment, saying, “Since yesterday that I called Osa’s family and told them their sister passed, they haven’t called me back to ask how far,” in a Facebook post on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Oyiza further expressed her shock that, rather than mourning the loss of their loved one or showing concern for burial arrangements, some family members were already calling to demand Osarugbe’s belongings. “We sent ₦350k for her burial (to Libya) which they are still asking for more, but guess what? Osas’ family is calling us for her properties. They want her properties, we haven’t laid this girl to rest but they are making trouble with us,” Oyiza lamented in her post.
The situation has been described by Oyiza as “devastating,” and she used this as an opportunity to highlight the grim realities that many young Nigerian women face when they migrate abroad in search of better opportunities. Sadly, many end up in distressing and dangerous circumstances, far from the promising future they sought. “Most of these young girls that run to Libya have something chasing them. I am devastated,” she added, shedding light on the struggles that these young women face even before they embark on such perilous journeys.
