The Federal Government on Friday summoned Côte d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, to demand an explanation over the death of a Nigerian, Usama Murtala, while in Ivorian custody, and to seek compensation for his family.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, raised the issue during a meeting with the envoy in Abuja following the recent release of five other Nigerians who were detained alongside the deceased in Abidjan.
The minister’s Special Assistant on Communications and New Media, Magnus Eze, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Murtala and five other Nigerians — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Liman Mohammed — had travelled by road from Sokoto to Abidjan on a business trip in August 2025 when they were arrested and detained at the MACA Prison without charge or trial.
The five survivors were recently released following sustained diplomatic engagements by the Nigerian Mission in Abidjan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned why Nigerian authorities were not informed of the arrest and detention of the six citizens, saying the failure to notify the embassy delayed diplomatic intervention.
She described the victims as traders whose inability to communicate effectively because of language barriers worsened their ordeal, noting that they were also denied access to legal representation.
“These young men were simply detained and taken to prison,” the minister said.
“For several months, they survived on one meal a day. Two of them became critically ill, and one eventually died.
“Nobody could explain why they were arrested and detained for so long without charge or trial.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also expressed concern that the traders’ phones, goods, money and other personal belongings seized at the time of their arrest had yet to be returned despite their release.
She said the survivors had since returned to Sokoto State but insisted that the circumstances surrounding Murtala’s death must be thoroughly investigated.
“We want you to convey our concerns to the authorities in Abidjan. This matter must be properly investigated,” she said.
“Whenever issues involving Nigerian nationals arise, our embassy in Abidjan should be notified. We understand the challenges posed by language barriers.
“We are also seeking compensation for the family of the deceased and a commitment from Côte d’Ivoire to ensure Nigerian citizens are treated with dignity going forward.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu had earlier hinted that the Federal Government would pursue compensation while receiving the five survivors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday night.
Responding, Ambassador Traore conveyed his condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Nigerian government, assuring the minister that he would immediately relay the concerns to the authorities in Abidjan.
