Dubai: Tale of a ‘Dangerous’ Beauty 

Dubai is the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is also the second-largest emirate by territorial size after the famous capital, Abu Dhabi.

The city is like a window into the Arabian glamour at a glance. It combines the splendour of London, Zurich, New York and Paris. For obvious reasons, it is a Mecca of sorts for adventurous people from every part of the globe. And for fun seekers, there is always a temptation to visit again and again because of its precinct beauty.

Dubai is ever a delight to tourists because of its Wild Water Park, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek, Dubai Fountain and many others. But this is not all about Dubai. It also boasts many beautiful and most expensive universities, as many international universities have opened their campuses there.

In the thinking of many, these and more could be part of the attractions driving some affluent Nigerians towards this ‘paradise on earth’. But it seems that the beautiful city is fast becoming a bad destination spot for many Nigerians, especially ladies who have taken to prostitution as a profession. Expectedly, this has led the government to come hard on them, while many are now living in perpetual fears and incessant regrets.

Before this episode,  it was no longer news that the UAE government had placed a visa ban on Nigerians since October 2022, owing to an alleged increase in criminal activities in the Arab country. Many would recall in 2014 how two Nigerian students were killed in the city within one year. 

First, Nigerians woke up to the rude shock of the alleged murder of 24-year-old Oyamuyefa Alamieyeseigha, son of the ex-governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamieyeseigha. It was gathered that the lifeless body of Oyoms, as he was fondly called by friends, was found in the corridor of his posh apartment by security men.

While some said he committed suicide, others claimed he was murdered by a group of people he had allegedly had a heated argument with some days before his death. However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unresolved till today.  

Sadly, this happened as Nigerians were still grappling with the shocking death of Toba Falode, son of a frontline Nigerian sports journalist, Aisha Falode, in a similar occurrence. Toba, a student and rap artiste, famously called Tyler Fray, was reportedly murdered after being pushed down from a skyscraper. Many months after the tragic incident, the mystery surrounding his death remains unravelled. Tens of such murders have happened in the past and none has been resolved.

However, on September 11, 2023, the Nigerian government announced that the ban had been lifted. While Nigerians waited anxiously for flights to resume, Nigerians were disappointed as the visa ban period lingered on.