The Federal Government has demanded a full explanation from the authorities of Côte d’Ivoire over the death of a 24-year-old Nigerian, Usama Murtala, who reportedly died after spending months in detention without trial in an Ivorian prison.
Nigeria also called for compensation for the deceased’s family, describing the circumstances surrounding his detention and death as unacceptable.
The demand was made on Friday by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a meeting with Kalilou Traore, Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Magnus Eze, Minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, the minister summoned the envoy to seek clarification over the circumstances that led to Murtala’s death following his prolonged incarceration at the MACA Prison in Abidjan.
The deceased was among six young Nigerians from Sokoto State who travelled by road to Abidjan in August 2025 for a trading trip.
