The Nigerian government is taking a firm stance. Following the death in custody of Usama Murtala, a 24-year-old Nigerian trader incarcerated at the Abidjan Detention and Correction Center (MACA), Abuja is officially demanding a transparent investigation, clear explanations, and compensation for the victim's family.

The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, summoned the Ivory Coast ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traoré, to formally convey her country's displeasure and demand that responsibilities be established.

Arbitrary detention with tragic consequences

The case dates back to August 2025. Usama Murtala was part of a group of six traders who had traveled from Sokoto State (northwest Nigeria) to Abidjan on business. Arrested shortly after their arrival by land, they were thrown in jail without trial or formal charges.

While the five other nationals — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa'adu Bello and Liman Mohammed — were eventually released and repatriated to Abuja thanks to the intervention of their embassy, the fate of Usama Murtala was fatal.

The shortcomings of the Ivorian authorities are being highlighted.

Nigerian diplomacy strongly condemns the treatment of its citizens and points to several major dysfunctions:

1. Failure to notify: Abuja regrets not having been informed of these arrests, which blocked and delayed consular assistance.
2. Lack of rights: Isolated by the language barrier, the detainees received no legal assistance during their incarceration.
3. Property confiscation: Nigerian authorities are demanding the immediate return of money, goods and mobile phones seized during the arrest, property still held by the Ivorian justice system.

The Ivorian ambassador was asked to relay these urgent demands to Abidjan in order to shed full light on this tragedy.