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FG summons Ivorian Ambassador over Nigerian trader’s death in Abidjan prison
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Friday summoned the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, following the death of a Nigerian, Usama Murtala, after prolonged detention in a prison in Côte d’Ivoire.
Usama, alongside five other Nigerians identified as Aliyu Malami, Shamsu Abubakar, Nasiru Umar, Liman Mohammed and Sa’adu Bello, travelled by road from Sokoto State to Abidjan on a trading trip in August 2025.
According to reports, the six men were arrested on arrival and detained at MACA Prison in Abidjan without trial, a situation that ultimately led to the death of Usama.
The remaining detainees were recently released following sustained diplomatic engagements by the Nigerian Mission and interventions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting with the Ivorian envoy, Odumegwu-Ojukwu demanded adequate compensation for the family of the deceased.
The minister also informed the ambassador that the released Nigerians had since reunited with their families, while lamenting that the loss of their colleague would remain a painful memory.
She further disclosed that two of the survivors were left critically ill due to severe malnutrition, alleging that they were fed only once a day during their detention.
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