Nigeria’s FG Summons Ivorian Envoy Over Death Of Nigerian In Abidjan Prison
Adedokun Waliyu
2 min read
The Federal Government has summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, over the death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, while in custody in Côte d’Ivoire. Nigeria also demanded a full explanation from the Ivorian authorities and requested compensation for the deceased’s family.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, raised the matter during a meeting with the ambassador in Abuja following the recent release of five other Nigerians who had been detained alongside Murtala in Abidjan.
According to the ministry, Murtala and five other Nigerians—Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Liman Mohammed—travelled by road from Sokoto to Abidjan on a trading trip in August last year. They were reportedly arrested and detained at the MACA Prison without being formally charged or tried.
The five surviving detainees were eventually released after sustained diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian Mission in Côte d’Ivoire and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned why Nigerian authorities were never informed about the detention of the six citizens, saying the lack of notification delayed diplomatic intervention.
She described the victims as traders who struggled to communicate because of language barriers and were denied access to legal representation throughout their detention.
According to the minister, the detainees were imprisoned without any explanation, received poor nutrition with only one meal a day, and two of them became critically ill. Murtala later died while still in custody.
She also complained that the traders’ phones, goods, money and other personal belongings confiscated during their arrest had not been returned despite their release.
The minister said the five survivors had since returned to Sokoto State but stressed that the circumstances surrounding Murtala’s death must be thoroughly investigated.
She urged the Ivorian ambassador to convey Nigeria’s concerns to his government, calling for a full investigation into the incident, improved communication with Nigerian diplomatic officials whenever Nigerian citizens are detained, and respectful treatment of Nigerians in Côte d’Ivoire.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also reiterated Nigeria’s demand for compensation for the deceased’s family.
In response, Ambassador Kalilou Traore expressed condolences to Murtala’s family and to the Nigerian government. He assured the minister that he would immediately communicate Nigeria’s concerns and demands to the authorities in Abidjan.
