The Federal Government has called for a full investigation into the death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, who died while in detention in Côte d’Ivoire.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu raised the issue during a meeting with the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, in Abuja. The meeting came after five other Nigerians who were detained alongside the deceased were released and returned home.
According to the Federal Government, the six men had travelled from Sokoto to Abidjan on a business trip in August 2025 before they were arrested and reportedly held in prison without being formally charged or tried.
The ministry said diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian Mission in Abidjan eventually secured the release of the five surviving detainees, who have since reunited with their families in Sokoto.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concern that Nigerian authorities were not informed of the arrests, saying the lack of official notification prevented early diplomatic intervention. She also stated that language barriers and the absence of legal representation left the detainees vulnerable throughout their detention.
The minister alleged that the men endured poor conditions in custody, including inadequate feeding, while two reportedly became seriously ill. One of them, Murtala, later died before the others regained their freedom.
She also demanded the return of the traders’ confiscated belongings, including their phones, money and goods, which she said had not been handed back despite their release.
The Federal Government is seeking a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Murtala’s death, compensation for his family, and assurances from the Ivorian authorities that Nigerians in the country will be treated fairly and in line with international standards.
In response, Ambassador Traore conveyed his condolences to Murtala’s family and the Nigerian government. He also assured the minister that Nigeria’s concerns would be forwarded to the authorities in Abidjan for appropriate action.
