The Federal Government has summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, following the death of Usama Murtala, a Nigerian trader who died shortly after his release from prolonged detention in a prison in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The government is demanding a full explanation and compensation for the deceased’s family.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has summoned the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria over the death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, who reportedly died after spending months in detention without trial in Abidjan. The minister described the incident as deeply disturbing and called for accountability from the Ivorian authorities.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Murtala travelled from Sokoto to Abidjan with five other Nigerian traders in August 2025 on a business trip. The group was reportedly arrested and detained at MACA Prison without formal charges or trial.
Following sustained diplomatic engagement by the Nigerian government, the detainees were eventually released. However, Murtala, who had fallen seriously ill while in custody, died on June 24, 2026, a day after being taken to a critical care hospital in Abidjan. He was buried in Côte d’Ivoire in accordance with Islamic rites after consultations with his family.
During her meeting with Ambassador Traore, Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned why Nigerian authorities were not informed about the arrest and prolonged detention of the six citizens.
She also raised concerns over reports that Murtala allegedly received inadequate medical attention while in custody, arguing that earlier intervention could have prevented his death.
The minister disclosed that language barriers and the absence of legal representation further complicated the detainees’ situation, as they were unable to effectively navigate the Ivorian justice system.
The Federal Government formally demanded a comprehensive explanation from the Ivorian government regarding the circumstances surrounding Murtala’s detention and death.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also stated that Nigeria would pursue adequate compensation for the deceased’s family while strengthening diplomatic engagement to better protect Nigerians living or doing business abroad.
The minister reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s Citizen Diplomacy policy places the welfare and protection of Nigerians overseas at the centre of the country’s foreign policy.
The incident has renewed concerns over the treatment of Nigerians detained abroad and the need for stronger consular protection. The Federal Government says it will continue engaging the Ivorian authorities until all outstanding issues surrounding the case are satisfactorily resolved, while also urging Nigerians travelling overseas to remain informed about local laws and immigration requirements.