The Federal Government has demanded compensation from the government of Côte d’Ivoire following the death of a Nigerian trader, Usama Murtala, while in detention at the Maison d’Arrêt et de Correction d’Abidjan (MACA) Prison.
The demand was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a meeting with the Ivorian ambassador to Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze, the Federal Government is seeking justice after Murtala, 24, died in custody while five other Nigerian traders were eventually released following diplomatic efforts.
The statement said Murtala travelled from Sokoto to Abidjan in August 2025 alongside Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Liman Mohammed for a business trip. The six traders were reportedly arrested by Ivorian authorities and detained at MACA Prison without being formally charged or put on trial.
Following sustained engagements by the Nigerian Mission in Cote d’Ivoire and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the five surviving traders were released and arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday night.
Speaking after receiving them, Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned why Nigerian authorities were not informed of the detention, saying the lack of official notification delayed diplomatic intervention.
She described the men as legitimate traders whose situation was worsened by language barriers in the French-speaking country and the absence of legal representation.
According to the minister, the detainees endured harsh conditions, including being fed only once daily. She added that two of the traders became seriously ill during their detention, while Murtala eventually died in custody.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the reasons for their arrest and prolonged detention remain unclear, noting that no charges were filed against them throughout their incarceration.
She also expressed concern that their mobile phones, merchandise, money and other personal belongings were not returned after their release.
The minister urged the Ivorian government to investigate the incident thoroughly, ensure Nigerian diplomatic officials are notified whenever Nigerian citizens are detained, and prevent similar cases in future.
She further called on Cote d’Ivoire to compensate Murtala’s family, stressing that Nigerian citizens deserve due process and humane treatment wherever they are.
Responding, the Ivorian ambassador expressed condolences to Murtala’s family and the Nigerian government, assuring that Nigeria’s concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities in Abidjan.
