The Nigerian Government has formally summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, expressing deep concern over the tragic demise of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, during his prolonged detention in an Abidjan prison.
The diplomatic intervention was spearheaded by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who demanded immediate accountability and justice regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Background of the Tragic Detention
According to official reports, the deceased, Usama Murtala, alongside five other young Nigerian traders identified as Aliyu Malami, Shamsu Abubakar, Nasiru Umar, Liman Mohammed, and Sa’adu Bello embarked on a commercial road trip from Sokoto State to Abidjan in August 2025.
Upon their arrival in Ivory Coast, the traders were arrested and subsequently remanded at the notorious MACA Prison in Abidjan without formal trial. This prolonged, arbitrary detention ultimately claimed the life of Murtala before legal remedy could be accessed.
Diplomatic Efforts and Malnutrition Claims
Following sustained diplomatic pressure and strategic engagement by the Nigerian Mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four of the surviving detainees were recently released and have since reunited with their families. However, the emotional and physical toll on the survivors remains severe.
Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the harrowing conditions the men endured while in Ivorian custody, revealing that at least two of the freed victims are currently critically ill due to severe malnutrition, having been fed only once a day during their confinement.
Demands for Accountability and Compensation
During her meeting with Ambassador Traore, the Foreign Affairs Minister strongly advocated for the family of the deceased, demanding that the Ivorian government provide due compensation for the untimely loss of Usama Murtala.
While the Nigerian government continues to monitor the recovery of the surviving victims, the administration has reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and welfare of Nigerians residing or doing business abroad.