The Federal Government on Friday demanded compensation for the family of a Nigerian trader, Usama Murtala, who died while in detention in Côte d’Ivoire, and called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The demand was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a meeting with the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, at her office in Abuja.
The meeting followed the recent release of five other Nigerians who were detained alongside the deceased in Abidjan after diplomatic interventions by the Nigerian government.
Murtala and five other traders Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Liman Mohammed had travelled by road from Sokoto State to Abidjan on a business trip in August 2025 when they were arrested and detained at the MACA Prison without formal charges or trial.
Addressing the envoy, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concern over the prolonged detention of the Nigerians and questioned why Nigerian authorities were not informed of their arrest, a situation she said delayed diplomatic intervention.
She noted that the detainees, who were traders, faced communication challenges due to language barriers and were denied access to legal representation throughout their incarceration.
“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,” the minister said.
“Nobody could give reasons why they were arrested and detained for so long without trial or charge.”
The minister also raised concerns over reports that the traders’ phones, money, goods and other personal belongings seized at the time of their arrest had not been returned despite their release.
While confirming that the five survivors had since reunited with their families in Sokoto State, she insisted that the death of Murtala must not go without accountability.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
The minister emphasized the need for better cooperation between Ivorian authorities and Nigerian diplomatic missions whenever Nigerian citizens are arrested or detained abroad.
“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,” she added.
The Federal Government had earlier indicated its intention to pursue justice and compensation for the deceased when the minister received the five freed Nigerians upon their arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday.
Responding, Ambassador Traore conveyed his condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Nigerian government, assuring the minister that he would immediately relay the concerns raised by Abuja to the authorities in Abidjan.
The envoy also pledged to communicate Nigeria’s request for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death as well as the demand for compensation.
The case has sparked concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals in detention and highlights the importance of timely consular access and diplomatic notification in cases involving citizens held abroad.
