During the meeting, the minister expressed the Federal Government's deep concern over the circumstances that led to Murtala's death and called on the Ivorian authorities to provide a comprehensive account of the incident.
The Nigerian government has summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, over the death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, while in detention in Côte d'Ivoire, demanding a full explanation from the authorities and compensation for the deceased's family.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu Ojukwu, summoned Ambassador Traore to her office on Friday, July 3, 2026, following reports surrounding the death of the Nigerian national after his incarceration in the West African country's prison.
During the meeting, the minister expressed the Federal Government's deep concern over the circumstances that led to Murtala's death and called on the Ivorian authorities to provide a comprehensive account of the incident.
According to the ministry, the Federal Government "has demanded an explanation from the Côte d'Ivoire authorities over the circumstances that led to the death of a Nigerian national, Usama Murtala, after incarceration in the country's prison."
