A Nigerian man living in the United Kingdom, identified as Chiowa Obeigbe, has been found dead in his apartment in Gloucester, sparking fresh concerns among Nigerians abroad about welfare, health, and isolation.
The incident was made public on Monday by UK-based Nigerian community advocate, Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby. Kuti, who shared a photo of Obeigbe’s driving licence on X (Twitter), revealed that the deceased was not discovered until five days after his death.
“This young man, Chiowa Obeigbe, sadly passed away in his home in Gloucester, UK, and was not discovered for five days,” Kuti wrote.
He added that efforts to trace Obeigbe’s relatives had so far been unsuccessful, though he is believed to be from Imo State, Nigeria.
Kuti appealed 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 send me a DM so arrangements can be made to return his body home.”
This development comes less than 48 hours after a similar tragedy involving another Nigerian abroad. A truck driver in the United States, Bode Ologan, was found dead in a truck in Arlington, Texas. The appeal for his family’s identification was likewise shared online along with his driving licence.
The back-to-back incidents have heightened anxieties among Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly regarding the pressures of work, loneliness, and limited support systems overseas.
Reacting on X, a user, @ifedichukwu, urged community leaders to promote wellness:
“Advise our people to do regular check-ups while chasing money. They need to slow down.”
Another user, Hammed Abiodun, warned about the dangers of overworking:
“These risks outweigh the benefits. Our body needs rest, and no one will call us failures if we don’t get rich quickly.”
On Facebook, the tragedy stirred emotional reflections. One user, Salome Shadrach, shared a personal experience:
“God, this made me remember my mum’s junior brother… missing for over 20 years after relocating abroad. We aren’t even sure what happened to him.”
The Nigerian community in the UK continues to seek information that may help locate Obeigbe’s family as plans progress to repatriate his remains.
