Nigeria is demanding an investigation and compensation after its citizen died in Ivory Coast custody

The Federal Government has officially demanded an investigation into the death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, who died while detained in Ivory Coast, and called for compensation for his family.

The demand was made on Friday when Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu received Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria Kalilou Traore at her office in Abuja.

The meeting came days after five Nigerians detained with the deceased in Abidjan regained their freedom following ongoing diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government and its mission in Ivory Coast.

According to a statement issued by Special Assistant to the Minister of Communications and New Media, Magnus Eze, Murtala and five other Nigerians—Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Liman Mohammed—traveled overland from Sokoto to Abidjan in August last year to carry out trading activities before they were arrested and taken to MACA Prison.

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The group was reportedly detained for several months without being formally charged or tried. Although five of them were eventually released through diplomatic intervention, Murtala died while still in custody.

In a meeting with the Ivory Coast envoy, Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned why Nigerian diplomatic authorities were not informed of the arrest and detention of the six nationals, arguing that such negligence prevented Nigeria from immediately intervening on their behalf.

He described the detainees as traffickers whose inability to communicate due to language differences added to their suffering, adding that they were denied access to legal representation during their detention.

According to the minister: “These youths were detained and put in prison.

“For several months, they have experienced poor nutrition because they were only given one meal a day. Two of them were critical and one person eventually died.

“No one can provide a reason why they were arrested and detained for so long without being tried or charged.”

The minister also expressed concern over personal items allegedly confiscated from Nigerians upon their arrest, noting that mobile phones, merchandise, cash and other valuables had not been returned despite their release.

He informed Ambassador Traore that the five survivors had been reunited with their families in Sokoto State but stressed that Murtala’s death should not be allowed to go unaccounted for.

“It is important for us to convey this to you. They have returned to Sokoto, their home country, but the sad memory of the death of their comrade will remain.

“We want you to communicate this to the authorities in Abidjan. This must be properly investigated, it must be investigated. And whenever there is a problem involving our citizens, the Embassy in Abidjan must be informed. We are aware of what can cause a language barrier.

“So, we are seeking compensation for the family of the young man who died and a commitment that Ivory Coast, going forward, will treat our citizens with dignity.”

The minister had earlier reiterated the government’s position when receiving the five freed Nigerians at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday evening, assuring them that the Federal Government “will take the case to the Ivorian authorities for compensation.”

Responding to the concerns expressed, Ambassador Traore expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and the Nigerian government, while assuring the minister that he would immediately convey Abuja’s demands to the authorities in Abidjan to take necessary action.