‘We begged women to urinate for us to drink to stay alive’ - Newstrends
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‘We begged women to urinate for us to drink to stay alive’

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  • Illegal emigrant narrates deadly experience in desert while trying to move to Europe
  • Sight of Mediterranean sea forced me to cancel trip to Italy

Twenty two years after walking through the valley of the shadow of death, in search of greener pastures, Stephen Onyekamma has remained terrified. Unlike those who by faith would confess they fear no evil when confronted with such pangs of death, reliving of his experience still sends shivers down the spines of Onyekamma.

As he narrated his experience in the sahara desert to Saturday Vanguard, Onyekamma would intermittently pause out of traumatic effect and in thanksgiving to God for sparing his life. Initially, he was reluctant about recounting the experience, as he insisted it was one he wouldn’t want to remember. But upon insistence by our correspondent, Onyekamma buckled.

 Journey to Libya

Six years after graduating from the Imo State University (IMSU), and after failed attempts to secure a job, Onyekamma decided to get out of Nigeria. That was in 1999. The graduate of Political Science had Italy as his destination country. Rather than following the right process of seeking visa into the European destination, he opted to go through the desert.

From Owerri, Onyekamma moved to Kebbi State and from Kebbi to Niger Republic. According to him, Niger Republic was a converging ground for those seeking to smuggle themselves into Europe through the desert. Unfortunately for the young graduate, he arrived Niger Republic in 1999 at a time he said the country was thrown into turmoil due to a coup d’ etat in which the country’s president was killed. Though he said he was aware of the coup, that however, could not deter him as he was desperate to hit the deadly desert. Waiting for the political unrest in Niger to subside could be a dream killer for him. Onyekamma therefore, resolved to weather the storm.

“After my graduation, I searched for job but couldn’t get. After six years, I decided to travel to Europe through the desert. My plan was to get to Libya, work a little and then move through the Mediterranean Sea to Italy.

“Before I left in 1999, I knew there was a coup in Niger, but I couldn’t wait, since I had already made up my mind to travel”.

Robbed in Niger

Onyekamma had undergone tutelage on how one could safeguard his money while in the desert. According to him, there were three available options – hiding the money in the collar of one’s dress while making the dress, or  opening the heel of a shoe to conceal it. The third option was to tie the money in a nylon and swallow it, with the hope of excreting it during the call of nature. All of these options however, could not save Onyekamma. While in Niger Republic trying to board a Libya bound vehicle, he ran into rebels who he said had seized control of part of the country. They stripped him of his belongings, forcing him to return to the capital city of Niger. The rebels had mastered the modus operandi of the emigrants.

“The first setback I had was being robbed by rebels in Niger. I hid my money in the collar of my shirt, but the fear of being killed would even make one to surrender the money willingly. Having lost all I had, I returned to the capital city to restrategize. I was in Niger for about two years to raise some money before I took off again”.

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Experience in the desert

Those who navigate through the desert do their best to get well equipped for the deadly journey. While water and snacks are desideratum, the transporters also go with mechanics, should the vehicle break down in the desert. However, there are very dreadful situations in which a vehicle that developed fault in the desert would require changing some parts.

This could be the most traumatizing fate that could befall anyone travelling through the desert. When such happens, Onyekamma said the driver and his crew would abandon the emigrants in the desert and make their way back to Niger with a promise of returning with the vehicle parts. In some cases, Onyekamma submitted that the emigrants were abandoned for weeks. In such cruel situation, the travellers are left stranded and at the mercy of death, as they run out of water and snacks. Dehydration would set in, and they would be ready to drink anything liquid, including urine, in a battle for survival. But would the urine even be available? Onyekamma said it was at the desert he realized men slide into dehydration faster than women.

“When you run out of water in the desert, you would be  desperate to drink anything liquid. It was at the desert I observed that a woman’s body had more water than that of a man. Men fell into dehydration faster than women. We begged women to try to urinate for us to drink to gain some strength. Whoever is able to urinate then, becomes a saviour.

“Out of every 50 persons going through the desert, only about 20 could survive”, he narrated.

Life in Libya

After about two weeks in the desert, Onyekamma finally arrived Libya. At the North African country, he went for training on vehicle alignment, and was able to master it within a short time. With the job, he could raise money to feed. But he was overcome by the sight of the terrifying Mediterranean Sea. He therefore, decided to go through the desert again to return to Nigeria, rather than heading to Italy.

“When I saw the boat they use in conveying people to Europe and the rampaging Mediterranean Sea, I became terrified and decided to return to Nigeria. I felt it was more dangerous stepping on the sea, than  returning to the desert. That was how I returned to Nigeria in 2005”.

Return to Nigeria

Today, Onyekamma, a father of five, having survived in the desert, believes nothing can kill him except God says it’s time. Unfortunately, he is yet to conquer money for which he soldiered through the desert. He is still struggling with the vicissitudes of life. While hoping that some day, life would get better, he holds that desert should never be an option for anyone who values life.

Vanguard News Nigeria

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$2.1m Land Suit: Court Orders Wike’s Son to Produce American Passport

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Wike’s Son Jordan Faces Fresh Court Twist as Judge Orders American Passport Produced

Wike’s Son Jordan Faces Fresh Court Twist as Judge Orders American Passport Produced

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama has ordered Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike, son of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to produce his American passport in court as hearing continued in a $2.1 million Abuja land dispute.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the order on Tuesday following an application by counsel to the claimants, Hamza Dantani, during cross-examination of Jordan in the suit marked CV/008/2026.

The case was filed by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, who allege that Jordan agreed to facilitate the acquisition of 60 hectares of land in Abuja—30 hectares each in Katampe and Guzape.

According to the claimants, they first met Jordan in London and later met him in Abuja, where they allegedly sought his assistance in securing the properties.

They allege that Jordan demanded $2.1 million as a facilitation fee, with $2 million allegedly intended for his father and $100,000 for himself.

The claimants further allege that the money was handed over on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani, while Jordan was accompanied by Onor Sandy.

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They claim that after receiving the money, Jordan failed to facilitate the land acquisition or refund the funds and subsequently became unreachable.

Jordan has denied the allegations.

During cross-examination, Dantani questioned Jordan about his whereabouts on September 26, 2025. Jordan told the court that he was outside Nigeria on that date and had travelled using his American passport.

Dantani then asked the court to compel him to produce the document. Justice Oriji granted the application and ordered Jordan to bring the passport before the court.

The passport is expected to be relevant to the parties’ competing accounts of Jordan’s whereabouts on the date the claimants allege the $2.1 million was paid.

Earlier in the proceedings, the claimants’ counsel also asked Jordan to write his full name and signature five times each on a plain sheet of paper. The application was granted without objection from the defence.

The wider dispute is linked to a joint venture agreement dated October 17, 2025, involving Jordan and two companies, Apostle Associate Limited and Creekstone General Contractor Ltd.

According to the claimants’ statement of claim, the proposed project involved the construction of 24 units of six-bedroom fully detached duplexes on 1.7 hectares of land at Guzape New Extension and 1.5 hectares at Katampe New Extension.

The claimants were allegedly expected to contribute $4.2 million, valued at about ₦6.3 billion, while Jordan was to provide the land.

The defence has disputed the claimants’ account of their dealings with Jordan, including the allegation that he received the $2.1 million.

The court has not determined the merits of the competing allegations, and the proceedings remain ongoing.

Justice Oriji adjourned the case until Wednesday for continuation of the hearing.

Wike’s Son Jordan Faces Fresh Court Twist as Judge Orders American Passport Produced

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Two Nigerians Jailed 15 Years Over $2.4m US Cyber Fraud

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Two Nigerians Jailed 15 Years Over $2.4m US Cyber Fraud

Two Nigerians Jailed 15 Years Over $2.4m US Cyber Fraud

Two Nigerians living in the United States, Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu and Harafat Mogaji, have been sentenced to a combined 189 months in federal prison for their roles in a $2.4 million cyber fraud scheme that targeted businesses and diverted legitimate payments.

Odimegwu, 25, was sentenced to 111 months, or nine years and three months, while Mogaji, 26, received 78 months, equivalent to six years and six months.

Both men were United States Air Force members stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware when they participated in the fraud scheme with other conspirators.

The scheme involved phishing, email spamming and the theft of employees’ usernames and passwords. Prosecutors said the stolen credentials were then used to access victims’ email accounts and monitor legitimate business communications.

The conspirators allegedly used spoofed email addresses designed to resemble those of businesses or their legitimate partners to convince victims to redirect payments into bank accounts controlled by the group.

One of the largest incidents involved more than $1.68 million belonging to a victim in Iowa City. The money was diverted to a bank account in Chicago controlled by members of the conspiracy.

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Another major transaction involved $721,976 paid by the city of Athens, Ohio, in November 2024 for construction of a new fire station. The city believed the payment was being made to its contractor, Pepper Construction, but the fraudsters allegedly intercepted communications and used a fake email address resembling the contractor’s legitimate address to redirect the money.

Authorities were able to freeze part of the Athens payment after the fraud was discovered. The city subsequently recovered $205,000 through mediation and received another $200,000 through an insurance claim, recovering a total of $405,000.

The investigation also uncovered stolen financial information, including bank account details, personal identification numbers and credit and debit card information.

A non-profit organisation in Pella, Iowa, was among the victims whose financial information was compromised. Investigators said the stolen information was used in attempts to carry out unauthorised transactions and purchases.

Authorities said the wider conspiracy involved other participants in the United States and abroad and included several attempts to divert business payments.

Odimegwu was ordered to pay $366,617.59 in restitution, while Mogaji was ordered to pay $995,680.45.

Both defendants were taken into custody after sentencing and will each serve three years of supervised release after completing their prison terms.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The case demonstrates how business email compromise and phishing attacks can be used to manipulate legitimate financial transactions by exploiting trusted digital communications.

The combined sentences amount to more than 15 years in federal prison, while the restitution orders require the two men to repay more than $1.36 million.

Two Nigerians Jailed 15 Years Over $2.4m US Cyber Fraud

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Osogbo Food Bonanza: Angry Customers Loot Warehouse After Operators Vanish

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Osogbo Food Bonanza: Angry Customers Loot Warehouse After Operators Vanish

Osogbo Food Bonanza: Angry Customers Loot Warehouse After Operators Vanish

The Osogbo food scheme controversy has taken a dramatic turn, with angry customers and other residents breaking into the warehouse of Global Food Initiative and carting away food items after the operators allegedly disappeared with customers’ advance payments.

Newstrends.ng had earlier reported how customers who paid for discounted food items besieged the company’s Odi-Olowo outlet in Osogbo, Osun State, after the operators failed to open for business or respond to calls.

The situation escalated on Tuesday when more residents returned to the premises, hoping to either collect the food items they had paid for or obtain an explanation from the operators.

According to reports, the crowd remained at the facility for hours before some people eventually forced their way into the warehouse and began removing food items.

The items taken reportedly included bags of rice, noodles, groundnut oil, spaghetti, semovita and other food commodities.

Residents from nearby communities were also said to have joined the rush, with some carrying away 50kg bags of rice, large containers of vegetable oil and other food products.

The looting reportedly continued despite heavy rainfall and the presence of security personnel deployed to maintain order.

Police officers were said to have fired shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd, although the intervention initially failed to stop the looting.

There were also reports that some people who had not invested in the scheme took advantage of the confusion to remove food items from the warehouse.

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The situation reportedly became more chaotic when some alleged hoodlums threatened customers who had collected food items, with reports that weapons including axes and cutlasses were used to force some people to surrender what they had taken.

The development came barely a day after customers gathered at the same premises following the disappearance of the operators.

Global Food Initiative had attracted residents by offering food commodities at prices substantially below prevailing market rates, with customers required to pay in advance and return later to collect their purchases.

One customer, Mistura, reportedly said she paid ₦300,000 for 11 bags of rice at ₦27,000 per bag, while another customer, Olamide, said she paid ₦1.2 million for food items intended for her stepdaughter’s forthcoming wedding.

Other customers have also alleged that they paid millions of naira into the scheme. However, the various amounts cited by individual customers should not be interpreted as a confirmed total loss, as no official figure for the money collected by the company has been established.

The attraction for many customers was the unusually low prices. The company reportedly offered a 50kg bag of rice for ₦27,000, while a 25-litre container of vegetable oil was reportedly sold for ₦30,000.

The sudden disappearance of the operators triggered panic among customers who had already made payments but had yet to receive their goods.

Some affected customers also alleged that warnings about the scheme had been broadcast on a local radio programme before the operators disappeared.

According to the allegations, the warning prompted some customers to rush to the premises before their scheduled collection dates.

There were also claims that the operators had brought additional food items to the premises but failed to open the outlet because of concerns about their safety.

Those claims have not been independently established, while the operators themselves have not publicly explained what happened to the business, the food stocks or the money reportedly collected from customers.

The controversy has also generated calls for residents to avoid turning the incident into an ethnic dispute, with some affected customers stressing that people from different backgrounds were among those who participated in the scheme.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has yet to announce a confirmed total amount allegedly lost by customers or publicly disclose the whereabouts of the operators.

The warehouse looting has further complicated efforts to establish the actual scale of the alleged losses, identify the rightful owners of the food items removed from the premises and determine what happened to customers’ advance payments.

For the affected customers, the immediate concern remains recovering either the money paid into the food scheme or the food items they purchased, while security authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the operators and the subsequent looting.

As of the latest reports, Global Food Initiative operators remained unreachable, while the full circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Osogbo food scheme remained unclear.

Osogbo Food Bonanza: Angry Customers Loot Warehouse After Operators Vanish

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