The Federal Government has summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria over the death of a Nigerian trader who died shortly after being released from detention in Côte d’Ivoire. Nigerian authorities are demanding a full investigation into the incident, compensation for the deceased’s family, and assurances that similar cases will not happen again.
The deceased, identified as Usama Murtala, was among six young Nigerian traders from Sokoto State who travelled by road to Abidjan in August 2025 for business. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group was arrested and detained in the MACA Prison without being formally charged or put on trial. The five surviving traders were eventually released after months of diplomatic engagement by the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan and the Federal Government.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met with the Ivorian Ambassador, Kalilou Traore, to demand an explanation for why Nigerian authorities were never informed of the traders’ arrest. She said the lack of timely notification delayed diplomatic intervention that could have saved Murtala’s life.
The minister also revealed that the detained Nigerians faced language barriers, lacked legal representation, and endured poor prison conditions, including inadequate healthcare and poor nutrition. She further alleged that their phones, money, goods, and other personal belongings were not returned after their release.
Nigeria has formally requested a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Murtala’s death, compensation for his family, the return of the traders’ confiscated property, and a commitment from Côte d’Ivoire to promptly notify the Nigerian Embassy whenever Nigerian citizens are arrested or detained in the country.
In response, Ambassador Traore expressed condolences to Murtala’s family and the Nigerian government, describing the incident as regrettable. He assured Nigerian authorities that their concerns and demands would be communicated to the government in Abidjan for appropriate action.
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FG Summons Ivorian Envoy, Demands Compensation Over Death of Nigerian Trader in Abidjan Prison
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The Federal Government has demanded compensation and a full investigation after a Nigerian trader died following his detention in an Abidjan prison, while five others were released.
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FG summons Ivorian envoy
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Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Abidjan Prison, Usama Murtala, Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Traders, Diplomacy, Human Rights
Pidgin Summary
Federal Government don summon the Ivory Coast ambassador because one Nigerian trader, Usama Murtala, die after dem keep am for prison for Abidjan without charge. Five other Nigerian traders wey travel go business with am don regain freedom after government intervention. Nigeria now dey demand full investigation, compensation for the family of the dead trader, return of all seized property, and make Ivory Coast always inform the Nigerian embassy anytime dem arrest any Nigerian citizen.
