US woman who searched for online lover in Karachi held in Dubai

US woman Onijah Andrew Robinson, who left Pakistan on February 7 after failing to reunite with her online lover, was detained by UAE authorities.  Her videos went viral after she skipped her flight to New York and remained in Dubai.

According to reports, Onijah is currently under protective custody. She has not been deported because she holds a valid visit visa for Dubai and has not violated any laws that would warrant her forced return to the US.

While Onijah’s family awaited her arrival in New York, multiple videos of her surfaced online. The clips showed her interacting with locals in Dubai while dressed in an abaya and headscarf, posing for pictures with people.

Read More: Onijah Andrew 'leaves' Karachi for US after four months

Following these viral videos, US officials alerted authorities in Dubai, leading to her detention. She is currently restricted from moving freely.

Onijah had reportedly refused to board her flight to New York, and airline authorities have refrained from forcing her onto the 15-hour journey, insisting she must agree to travel voluntarily.

Onijah spent four months in Karachi after arriving from New York on October 11, 2024, in search of her online boyfriend, Nidal Ahmed Memon. However, Nidal abandoned her and fled his home, leaving Onijah stranded. She repeatedly refused to leave Pakistan despite authorities’ efforts.

Check: Onijah Andrew Robinson spotted in Dubai en-route to US

After undergoing medical and psychological treatment at Jinnah Post Graduate Hospital, she finally agreed to board flight EK603 to Dubai, from where she was supposed to travel back to New York. However, she remained in Dubai, leading to her current detention.