Nigerian govt summons Ivorien Ambassador over death of Usama in Abidjan prison
The Nigerian government summoned Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria Kalilou Traore on Friday in response to the death of Usama Murtala, who died following prolonged detention in an Ivorian prison.
According to the Daily Post, Murtala and five other Nigerians—Aliyu Malami, Shamsu Abubakar, Nasiru Umar, Liman Mohammed, and Sa’adu Bello—had traveled from Sokoto State to Abidjan for a trading trip in August 2025. Upon their arrival in Abidjan, they were arrested and subsequently detained in MACA Prison without trial.
While Murtala tragically died in custody, the other four detainees were released recently after efforts by the Nigerian Mission and diplomatic interventions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting with Ambassador Traore, Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for compensation for Murtala’s family. She also informed the ambassador that the released detainees have reunited with their families, but lamented that the memory of their deceased colleague would continue to affect them.
Additionally, she noted that two of the detainees are suffering from critical health issues due to malnutrition, having received only one meal per day during their incarceration.