The Federal Government has announced plans to formally engage the Ivorian government over the death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, who died shortly after regaining his freedom following nearly a year in detention without trial in Côte d’Ivoire.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement shared on her official X account on Tuesday.
According to the minister, Murtala and five other young Nigerians had travelled from Sokoto State to Abidjan to trade in phone accessories before they were arrested and detained at the MACA Prison under what she described as questionable circumstances.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Federal Government only became aware of the case in April 2026 and was shocked to learn that the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan had not been informed of the arrests by the Ivorian authorities.
“Their unfortunate circumstances was brought to my attention in April this year and when I contacted our Embassy in Abidjan, I was dismayed to discover that they had not even been notified of their arrest by the authorities there,” she said.
She explained that the six Nigerians remained in custody without being formally charged or prosecuted, adding that Murtala became critically ill while in detention.
According to the minister, persistent diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eventually secured the release of the detainees.
“With sustained engagements by our Mission, and diplomatic interventions by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are happy to secure the release of these citizens,” she stated.
However, Murtala died at a hospital in Abidjan only hours after regaining his freedom.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said he was buried in the Ivorian city in accordance with Islamic rites at the request of his family, with officials of the Nigerian Embassy and the five other released Nigerians present at the burial.
She identified the surviving Nigerians as Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Lyman Mohammed, adding that arrangements had been concluded to bring them back to Nigeria.
Describing Murtala’s death as heartbreaking, the minister said the incident highlights the dangers many Nigerians encounter while seeking better opportunities outside the country.
“This is the reality many of our citizens face when they travel in search of greener pastures. Many are young people whose paths take unexpected and tragic turns,” she said.
She also disclosed that the Federal Government would formally pursue the matter with the Ivorian authorities.
“To the survivors of this harrowing ordeal — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Lyman Mohammed — we will be there to receive you and celebrate your triumph over adversity. In advance, we say, ‘Welcome home,'” she added.