By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Five Nigerians rescued from detention in Côte d’Ivoire have returned home after months of incarceration, as the Federal Government announced plans to seek compensation over the death of a sixth detainee who died shortly after their release.
The returnees were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday evening by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, alongside the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and other government officials.
The six Nigerians — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello, Lyman Mohammed and Usama Murtala — had travelled by road from Sokoto to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on a business trip in August 2025. They were arrested and detained in MACA Prison without charge or trial before the Federal Government intervened.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic efforts began after the case was brought to the minister’s attention in April 2026. The Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan engaged Ivorian authorities, leading to the release of the detainees.
However, one of them, Usama Murtala, fell seriously ill while in custody due to poor medical care. He died at a critical care hospital on June 24, 2026, a day after the group’s release, and was buried the following day in Côte d’Ivoire according to Islamic rites after consultations with his family in Sokoto.
Speaking during the reception, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigerian authorities were initially unaware of the men’s detention, delaying diplomatic intervention.
“There was no charge sheet. There was no trial. They were simply detained and taken to prison,” she said.
The minister attributed the detainees’ ordeal partly to language barriers, noting that they were unable to communicate effectively or obtain legal representation in the French-speaking country.
“They could not speak English in an environment where French was spoken. They never really stood a chance,” she added.
Describing Usama’s death as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with irregular migration, the minister said many Nigerians imprisoned abroad are vulnerable youths seeking better opportunities without fully understanding the legal systems of their destination countries.
She disclosed that the Federal Government would pursue compensation from the Ivorian authorities over the circumstances surrounding Usama’s death.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also cautioned Nigerians against embarking on risky journeys in search of opportunities abroad, stressing that many citizens detained overseas were arrested while transiting through foreign countries.
She said the Federal Government’s intervention reflected the Citizen Diplomacy policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the protection and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The minister appealed to the Sokoto State Government to support the rehabilitation of the five returnees through skills acquisition and capacity-building programmes.
She revealed that the Federal Government had formally written to the state government, urging it to assist the young men in rebuilding their lives after enduring months of hardship and trauma.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Aliyu Malami said he had travelled to Côte d’Ivoire for business but spent several months in detention under harsh conditions.
He said language barriers prevented them from explaining their situation to the authorities and expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for securing their freedom and safe return.
The returnees received support packages from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies, and are expected to reunite with their families in Sokoto.
