The Federal Government has formally demanded an explanation from the authorities of Côte d’Ivoire over the death of a 24-year-old Nigerian, Usama Murtala, who died after months of detention in an Ivorian prison without trial, while also seeking compensation for his family.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the demand on Friday during a meeting with the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The minister questioned the circumstances surrounding the detention of Murtala and five other Nigerian traders—Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello, and Liman Mohammed—who travelled by road from Sokoto to Abidjan on a trading mission in August 2025.
According to the ministry, the six Nigerians were arrested and detained at the MACA Prison in Abidjan without being charged or tried. Their release was secured recently following sustained diplomatic engagements by the Nigerian Mission in Côte d’Ivoire and interventions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Receiving the five survivors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja earlier this week, Odumegwu-Ojukwu had pledged that Nigeria would pursue justice for the deceased and seek compensation from the Ivorian government.
During Friday’s meeting, the minister faulted the failure of the Ivorian authorities to notify the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan of the arrest and detention of the citizens, describing it as a breach that delayed diplomatic intervention.
She noted that the traders were on a legitimate business trip but faced language barriers and lacked access to legal representation throughout their incarceration in the French-speaking country.
According to the minister, the detainees endured harsh prison conditions, including poor nutrition, with reports indicating they were fed only once daily. She disclosed that two of the detainees became critically ill, while Murtala eventually died in custody.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also raised concerns over the confiscation of the traders’ phones, money, goods, and other personal belongings, which she said were not returned even after their release.
She urged the Ivorian government to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that Nigerian diplomatic missions are promptly informed whenever Nigerian nationals are detained in the country.
“We seek compensation for the family of the deceased young man and a commitment that Côte d’Ivoire will, going forward, treat Nigerian citizens with dignity,” the minister stated.
Responding, Ambassador Traore conveyed the condolences of the Ivorian government to the family of the deceased and the people of Nigeria.
He assured the minister that Nigeria’s concerns would be immediately communicated to the authorities in Abidjan for appropriate action.
The five surviving traders have since returned to their home state of Sokoto after their release from detention.
