Nigeria's government pledges to take measures against Ivory Coast following a Nigerian's fatal incarceration.

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The Federal Government has vowed to launch a formal diplomatic challenge against the Ivorian authorities following the tragic death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, who died in an Abidjan hospital just hours after being released from a year-long detention without trial.

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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on her official X handle on Tuesday.

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According to the minister, the six young men, who travelled from Sokoto to Abidjan for the phone parts business, were arrested under what she described as suspicious circumstances and detained at MACA Prison without being charged or tried.

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She said the ministry only became aware of their plight in April 2026 and was surprised to discover that the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan had not been notified of their arrest by the Ivorian authorities.

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“Their unfortunate circumstances was brought to my attention in April this year and when I contacted our Embassy in Abidjan, I was dismayed to discover that they had not even been notified of their arrest by the authorities there,” she said.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the detainees were held in difficult conditions, with one of them, Usama Murtala, falling seriously ill while in custody.

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“With sustained engagements by our Mission, and diplomatic interventions by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are happy to secure the release of these citizens,” she stated.

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The minister, however, said the development ended in tragedy for Murtala, whose health had deteriorated significantly before his release.

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According to her, officials of the Nigerian High Commission rushed him to a critical care hospital after his release, but he died the following morning.

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“Our officers at the Nigeria High Commission made spirited efforts to save his life by rushing him to a Critical Care Hospital for treatment, but alas, it was too late for Usama. He died the next morning, far from home and family, oblivious to the fact that his mother and siblings in Sokoto were excitedly preparing for his return,” she said.

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She disclosed that Murtala was buried in Abidjan in accordance with Islamic rites at the request of his family, with his fellow former detainees and Nigerian embassy officials in attendance.

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The minister said the five surviving Nigerians — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Lyman Mohammed — were being brought back to Nigeria.

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She described Murtala’s death as a painful reminder of the risks faced by many young Nigerians who leave the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

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“This is the reality many of our citizens face when they travel in search of greener pastures. Many are young people whose paths take unexpected and tragic turns,” she said.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the Federal Government would take up Murtala’s case with the Ivorian authorities.

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“To the survivors of this harrowing ordeal — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Lyman Mohammed — we will be there to receive you and celebrate your triumph over adversity. In advance, we say, ‘Welcome home,'” she added

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