The Federal Government has formally demanded an investigation into the death of a Nigerian citizen, Usama Murtala, who died while in detention in Côte d’Ivoire, and called for compensation for his family.
The demand was made on Friday when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, at her office in Abuja.
The meeting came days after five Nigerians who had been detained alongside the deceased in Abidjan regained their freedom following sustained diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government and its mission in Côte d’Ivoire.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Communications and New Media, Magnus Eze, Murtala and five other Nigerians—Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Liman Mohammed—travelled by road from Sokoto to Abidjan in August last year for trading activities before they were arrested and taken to the MACA Prison.
The group was reportedly held for several months without being formally charged or tried. While five of them were eventually released through diplomatic intervention, Murtala died while still in custody.
During the meeting with the Ivorian envoy, Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned why Nigerian diplomatic authorities were not notified of the arrest and detention of the six citizens, arguing that the omission prevented Nigeria from intervening promptly on their behalf.
She described the detainees as traders whose inability to communicate because of language differences compounded their ordeal, adding that they were denied access to legal representation throughout their detention.
According to the minister: “These young men were simply detained and taken to prison.
“For these months, they had poor nutrition as they were fed once a day. Two of them were critically ill and one eventually died.
“Nobody could give reasons why they were arrested and detained for so long without trial or charge.”
The minister also raised concerns over the personal belongings allegedly confiscated from the Nigerians at the time of their arrest, noting that their phones, trading goods, cash and other valuables had yet to be returned despite their release.
She informed Ambassador Traore that the five survivors had since reunited with their families in Sokoto State but stressed that Murtala’s death must not go without accountability.
“It’s important that we communicate this to you. They have gone back to Sokoto, their state of origin, but the sad memory of the death of their colleague will linger.
“We want you to communicate this to the authorities in Abidjan. This should be properly investigated; it should be probed. And anytime there are issues involving our nationals, the Embassy in Abidjan should be informed. We are aware of what language barriers could cause.
“So, we seek compensation for the dead young man’s family and a commitment that Côte d’Ivoire will, going forward, treat our nationals with dignity.”
The minister had earlier reiterated the government’s position while receiving the five released Nigerians at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday night, assuring them that the Federal Government “will be taking up the case with the Ivorian authorities for compensation.”
Responding to the concerns raised, Ambassador Traore conveyed his condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Nigerian government, while assuring the minister that he would immediately relay Abuja’s demands to the appropriate authorities in Abidjan for necessary action.
(Ripples)
