A New York mother of four has become the center of an international controversy after traveling to Karachi, Pakistan, to meet a man she claimed to have married online, only to find herself embroiled in a series of dramatic events that have captured the attention of both local and international media. Onijah Robinson, 33, arrived in Pakistan in October 2023 with hopes of starting a new life with her 19-year-old lover, Nidal Ahmed Memon, whom she had met on the internet. However, her journey took an unexpected turn, leading to a chaotic and highly publicized ordeal that has left many questioning the circumstances surrounding her actions.
According to Onijah, she and Nidal had married virtually, and she traveled to Pakistan expecting to be welcomed by her new husband and his family. Instead, upon her arrival, Nidal and his family reportedly rejected the marriage and vacated their home to avoid her. Undeterred, Onijah staged a sit-in protest outside Nidal’s residence, drawing significant attention from local residents and media outlets. Her actions sparked widespread debate in Karachi, with many questioning her motives and the validity of her claims.
Complicating matters further, Onijah had entered Pakistan on a 30-day visa, which eventually expired, leaving her stranded in the country. Despite being offered a ticket to return to the United States, she refused to leave, instead holding a series of press conferences in which she made bold demands of the Pakistani government. She requested financial support ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per week, eventually escalating her demand to a staggering $100,000. During these conferences, she also claimed to be pregnant and insisted that she was legally married to Nidal, despite his family’s denial of the union.
“My plan is to rebuild this entire country,” Onijah declared in one of her press appearances. “I’m asking for $100,000, and I need $20,000 in cash by the end of this week. That’s my demand from the government.” She went on to criticize the state of Pakistan’s infrastructure, stating, “The government needs to fix these streets… it’s ridiculous here, I don’t like it. You all need to understand that Pakistan needs new buses, taxis, and cars. Please listen to me, my name is Onijah Ahmed, wife of Nidal Ahmed.”
Her public outbursts and unorthodox behavior led to her being admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Karachi, where she was reportedly evaluated for mental health concerns. Her son, speaking to media outlets, revealed that Onijah has a history of mental health issues and suggested that her actions in Pakistan may have been part of a manic episode. Despite efforts by her children to persuade her to return to the United States, Onijah initially refused, prolonging her stay in Pakistan and intensifying the media frenzy surrounding her case.
After weeks of turmoil, Onijah has finally agreed to return to the U.S., citing financial difficulties as the reason for her decision. “I would like you guys to book my ticket back to New York,” she said in a recent statement. “Money is short right now, and I will appreciate it.” Her departure marks the end of a bizarre chapter that has left many questions unanswered, including the true nature of her relationship with Nidal and the circumstances that led to her highly publicized demands.
The incident has sparked conversations about the complexities of online relationships, the challenges of cross-cultural misunderstandings, and the importance of mental health awareness. While Onijah’s story has drawn significant attention, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of impulsive decisions and the need for greater support systems for individuals facing mental health challenges. As she prepares to return home, the focus now shifts to her recovery and the well-being of her family, who have been deeply affected by the events of the past several months.
