FG summons Ivorian envoy over death of citizen in Abidjan prison
July 3, 2026 8:26 pm
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
By Deborah Musa
The Federal Government on Friday summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, to demand an explanation over the death of a Nigerian, Usama Murtala, while in custody in Côte d’Ivoire, and requested compensation for his family.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, raised the issue during a meeting with the envoy at her office in Abuja following the recent release of five other Nigerians who were detained alongside the deceased in Abidjan, the Special Assistant on Communications and New Media to the minister, Magnus Eze, said in a statement.
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 trading trip in August last year when they were arrested and detained in the MACA Prison without charge or trial.
The five survivors were recently freed after sustained engagements by the Nigerian Mission and diplomatic interventions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking during the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned why the Nigerian authorities were not informed of the detention of the six citizens, saying the lack of notification delayed diplomatic intervention.
She described the victims as traders whose inability to communicate effectively because of language barriers further worsened their ordeal, adding that they had no access to legal representation while in detention.
According to the minister, “These young men were simply detained and taken to prison.
“For these months, they had poor nutrition as they were fed once a day. Two of them were critically ill and one eventually died.
“Nobody could give reasons why they were arrested and detained for so long without trial or charge.”
She also complained that the traders’ phones, goods, money and other personal belongings seized at the time of their arrest had not been returned to them despite their release.
The minister informed the envoy that the survivors had since returned to their home state of Sokoto but insisted that the circumstances surrounding Murtala’s death must be thoroughly investigated.
She said, “It’s important that we communicate this to you. They have gone back to Sokoto, their state of origin, but the sad memory of the death of their colleague will linger.
“We want you to communicate this to the authorities in Abidjan. This should be properly investigated; it should be probed. And anytime there are issues involving our nationals, the Embassy in Abidjan should be informed. We are aware of what language barriers could cause.
“So, we seek compensation for the dead young man’s family and a commitment that Côte d’Ivoire will, going forward, treat our nationals with dignity.”
The minister had earlier, while receiving the five survivors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday night, indicated that the Federal Government “will be taking up the case with the Ivorian authorities for compensation.”
Responding, Ambassador Traore expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and to Nigeria, assuring the minister that he would immediately convey the Federal Government’s concerns to the authorities in Abidjan.
Deborah Musa is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience in journalism, including three years covering the judiciary. She focuses on producing accurate, well-researched reports that provide clarity on legal and justice-related issues. Deborah’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and editorial diligence.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]