The Federal Government says it will pursue diplomatic action against the Côte d’Ivoire following the death of Nigerian businessman Usama Murtala after his release from detention in Abidjan.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Murtala and five other Nigerians travelled from Sokoto to Côte d’Ivoire for a phone parts business but were arrested and detained at MACA Prison for about a year without trial.
According to the minister, Nigerian authorities only became aware of their detention in April 2026, noting that the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan had not been informed of their arrests. Following diplomatic engagements, the six detainees were released.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Murtala’s health had deteriorated during his detention. Despite emergency medical assistance arranged by officials of the Nigerian High Commission, he died in hospital the following morning. At his family’s request, he was buried in Abidjan in accordance with Islamic rites.
The five remaining Nigerians are expected to return home, where the government has pledged support. The minister described the incident as tragic and said Nigeria would formally engage Ivorian authorities to seek justice and establish the circumstances surrounding Murtala’s detention and death.
