FG Asks Ivorien Authorities To Compensate Families After Nigerian Man Died In Abidjan Prison

The federal government has demanded compensation from the Ivorien authorities for the family of a Nigerian, Usama Murtala, who died while in detention at a prison in Abidjan after being held for several months without trial.

This demand was made on Friday by the minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, when she summoned the Ivorien Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, over the circumstances surrounding Murtala's death.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Murtala was among six young Nigerians from Sokoto State who travelled by road to Abidjan in August 2025 on a trading trip.

The group, which included Aliyu Malami, Shamsu Abubakar, Nasiru Umar, Liman Mohammed and Sa'adu Bello, was arrested shortly after arriving in Côte d'Ivoire and detained at the Maison d'Arrêt et de Correction d'Abidjan (MACA) prison.

The ministry said the six Nigerians remained in custody without trial for an extended period, during which Murtala died in detention.

Following sustained diplomatic engagements by the Nigerian Mission in Côte d'Ivoire and interventions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the five surviving detainees were eventually released and have since reunited with their families in Nigeria.

During her meeting with Ambassador Traore, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the incident as deeply regrettable and urged the Ivorien government to provide appropriate compensation to Murtala's family.

She noted that although the remaining detainees had regained their freedom, the loss of their colleague continued to weigh heavily on them and their families.

The minister further disclosed that two of the released Nigerians were in critical health condition after enduring severe malnutrition during their incarceration. According to her, the detainees were reportedly fed only once a day throughout their detention, leaving some of them with serious health complications.

The Federal Government said it would continue to pursue the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad through diplomatic channels while seeking justice over the circumstances that led to Murtala's death.