The Nigerian community in the United Kingdom has been thrown into mourning following the discovery of a Nigerian man, Chiowa Obeigbe, dead in his apartment in Gloucester. According to community reports, Obeigbe’s body was not discovered until five days after his death, raising fresh concerns about the isolation faced by many Nigerians living abroad.
The tragic news was announced on Monday by a prominent UK based Nigerian community leader, Benjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby. Kuti, who describes himself as the founder of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom on X, shared a photo of Obeigbe’s driving licence while calling on the public to help identify and contact the deceased’s family members.
“This young man, Chiowa Obeigbe, sadly passed away in his home in Gloucester, UK, and was not discovered for five days. 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. 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,” Kuti appealed.
The development comes barely two days after PUNCH Metro reported a similar case in the United States involving another Nigerian, Bode Ologan, a truck driver who was found dead in his vehicle in Arlington, Texas. Ologan’s case was also publicised online, with community members appealing for assistance in reaching his family.
These back to back incidents have intensified ongoing concerns within the Nigerian diaspora about health challenges, loneliness, and the pressures associated with working multiple jobs to survive abroad.
Reactions have continued to pour in across social media from Nigerians shocked by the news and urging members of the diaspora to prioritise their well being.
On X, a user with the handle ifedichukwu wrote, “Advise our people to do regular check ups while chasing this money. They need to slow down.”
Another user, Hammed Abiodun, warned of the growing risks associated with excessive work schedules. “Please educate our people about the dangers of slaving away, taking multiple shifts. These risks outweigh the benefits. Our bodies need rest, and no one will call us failures if we don’t get rich in a short period of time,” he said.
On Facebook, the tragedy triggered emotional memories for others. One user, Salome Shadrach, shared a deeply personal story. “God, this made me remember my mum’s junior brother, missing for over 20 years after relocating abroad. We are not even sure what happened to him,” she wrote.
Nigerian community groups in the UK are now working to trace Obeigbe’s relatives in Imo State or elsewhere in Nigeria. Meanwhile, community leaders and mental health advocates are renewing calls for Nigerians abroad to build support networks, conduct regular health checks, and avoid excessive strain in their pursuit of financial stability.
Local authorities in Gloucester have yet to release official details about the cause of death, but investigations are ongoing as the Nigerian community awaits further information.
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