“Gone Too Soon: Nigerian nurse Nnenna Miriam, remembered for her compassion and dedication, was found dead in her Leeds apartment shortly after returning from a family celebration in Nigeria.”
A wave of grief and disbelief has struck nursing communities in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria after the unexpected death of Nigerian nurse Nnenna Miriam, who was based in Leeds.
According to Fellow Nurses Africa — an advocacy platform supporting African nurses — her lifeless body was discovered in her apartment by UK police after she had been reported missing.
Alarm bells rang when Miriam failed to appear for her scheduled shift and stopped responding to calls from friends. One close friend, increasingly worried by her silence, filed a missing person report. Police later found her deceased in her home under circumstances that remain under investigation.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, Fellow Nurses Africa expressed deep sorrow over her passing:
> “It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we report the sudden passing of one of our own, Nnenna Miriam, a dedicated and professional nurse based in Leeds, United Kingdom.”
“Nurse Miriam was found dead in her room earlier this week under heartbreaking circumstances. According to reports, her last shift was on Sunday of last week. Alarm was raised when a close friend could not reach her despite repeated attempts. A missing person report was filed, and tragically, police later discovered her body.”
The organization also revealed that Miriam had recently returned to the UK after traveling to Nigeria for her introduction ceremony — a traditional rite leading up to marriage.
“Tuesday, April 29, was meant to be her special day — a celebration of love and new beginnings. Instead, her sudden death has left loved ones, colleagues, and the broader nursing community reeling with grief and unanswered questions.”
Colleagues described Miriam as a compassionate, hardworking, and resilient nurse who touched the lives of countless patients.
“Her untimely passing is a profound loss to the healthcare family she served with pride. As investigations continue, we stand in solidarity with her family, friends, and the global African nursing community in mourning this heartbreaking loss,” the statement concluded.