Nigeria Demands Probe, Compensation Over Death of Citizen in Ivorian Custody

The Federal Government has demanded an explanation and compensation from Côte d’Ivoire following the death of 24-year-old Nigerian Usama Murtala in an Ivorian prison.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, summoned Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, to her office Friday to address the case.

Usama and five other Nigerians — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello, and Liman Mohammed — traveled from Sokoto to Abidjan for trading in August 2025. They were arrested and detained at MACA Prison, Abidjan, without charge or trial. 

The five survivors were recently released after diplomatic interventions by the Nigerian Mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 

Odumegwu-Ojukwu received the five men Tuesday night at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and said the government would take up the case with Ivorian authorities for compensation.

During Friday’s meeting, the minister asked why Nigerian authorities were not notified of the detention, which delayed diplomatic intervention. She said the traders faced language barriers and had no access to legal representation in the French-speaking country.

“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,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu told the envoy.

She added that the traders’ phones, goods, money, and other property were not returned after their release. The survivors have returned to Sokoto, but “the sad memory of the death of their colleague will linger,” she said.

The minister called for a full investigation and for Côte d’Ivoire to inform the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan when nationals are detained. “We seek compensation for the dead young man’s family and a commitment that Cote d’ Ivoire will going forward treat our nationals with dignity,” she said.

Ambassador Traore expressed condolences to the family and to Nigeria. He assured the minister he would communicate Nigeria’s concerns to Abidjan as soon as possible.