Five Nigerians Return Home After Release From Côte d’Ivoire Prison, FG Seeks Compensation Over Death of Detainee
Oru Leonard
Five Nigerian youths detained for about 10 months in a prison in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, have returned to the country following diplomatic intervention by the Federal Government, while the government has vowed to seek compensation over the death of a sixth detainee.
The returnees were received on Tuesday evening at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, alongside the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and other government officials.
The six Nigerians—Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello, Lyman Mohammed and Usama Murtala—had travelled by road from Sokoto to Côte d’Ivoire on a trading trip in August 2025. They were arrested and detained in MACA Prison in Abidjan without being charged or tried.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic efforts to secure their release began after the minister was informed of their plight in April 2026. The Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan subsequently engaged the Ivorian authorities, leading to the release of the detainees.
However, one of them, Usama Murtala, died on June 24, 2026, a day after regaining his freedom. The ministry said he had fallen ill while in detention and received inadequate medical attention before he passed away in a critical care hospital. He was buried in Côte d’Ivoire according to Islamic rites after consultations with his family in Sokoto.
Speaking during the reception, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigerian authorities were unaware of the men’s detention for several months, delaying diplomatic intervention.
“There was no charge sheet. There was no trial. They were simply detained and taken to prison,” the minister said, adding that language barriers in the French-speaking country prevented the detainees from communicating effectively or obtaining legal representation.
“They could not speak English in an environment where French was spoken. They never really stood a chance,” she added.
The minister described Usama’s death as a tragic reminder of the dangers many young Nigerians face while seeking opportunities abroad through irregular migration.
She disclosed that the Federal Government would pursue the matter with the Ivorian authorities and seek compensation over the circumstances surrounding his death.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also cautioned Nigerians against embarking on risky journeys in search of better opportunities overseas, noting that many Nigerians imprisoned abroad often find themselves trapped in unfamiliar legal systems.
She said the government’s intervention reflected President Bola Tinubu’s Citizen Diplomacy policy under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the protection and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
The minister appealed to the Sokoto State Government to provide rehabilitation and skills acquisition programmes for the five returnees to help them reintegrate into society.
According to her, the Federal Government has already written to the Sokoto State Government requesting support for the youths, who endured significant trauma during their detention.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Aliyu Malami thanked the Nigerian government for securing their release and facilitating their return home.
He said he travelled to Côte d’Ivoire for business but spent months in detention under harsh conditions because he could not communicate with the authorities due to language differences.
Malami pledged to rebuild his life and continue with legitimate business activities.
The returnees also received support packages from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other government agencies before departing Abuja to reunite with their families in Sokoto.
