The Federal Government has received five Nigerian citizens who regained their freedom after spending about 10 months in detention at the MACA Prison in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, while also demanding compensation from the Ivorian authorities over the death of a sixth detainee.
The five returnees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday evening, where they were received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, alongside the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and other government officials.
The men—Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa'adu Bello and Lyman Mohammed—were among six youths from Sokoto State who travelled by road to Côte d'Ivoire in August 2025 for trading activities. They were arrested and imprisoned without formal charges or trial until the intervention of the Nigerian government secured their release.
However, one of the group, Usama Murtala, did not survive the ordeal. According to the Minister, he fell seriously ill while in detention and, after months of inadequate medical care, died in a critical care hospital on June 24, 2026, barely 24 hours after his release by the Ivorian authorities. He was buried the following day in Côte d'Ivoire in accordance with Islamic rites after consultations with his family in Sokoto.
Speaking during the reception, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Nigerian government only became aware of the detention in April this year, prompting immediate diplomatic engagement through the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan.
She said persistent efforts by the embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eventually led to the release of the six Nigerians.
Describing the circumstances surrounding their detention as unacceptable, the minister said the young men were held without any formal legal process.
"There was no charge sheet. There was no trial. They were simply detained and taken to prison," she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that language difficulties further compounded their predicament, as the detainees were unable to communicate effectively in the French-speaking country or secure legal representation.
According to her, the Federal Government would formally engage the Ivorian authorities to seek compensation over the treatment of the Nigerians and the death of Murtala.
She noted that the incident underscores the dangers faced by many young Nigerians who migrate in search of economic opportunities without adequate knowledge of the legal and social environment in their destination countries.
The minister also cautioned Nigerians against undertaking risky migration, stressing that many citizens imprisoned abroad often become victims of unfamiliar legal systems and circumstances beyond their control.
She added that the successful rescue of the detainees demonstrates the Federal Government's commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Citizen Diplomacy initiative, which forms part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed to the Sokoto State Government to assist the returnees with rehabilitation, vocational training and other empowerment programmes to enable them reintegrate into society.
She disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already written to the Sokoto State Government requesting support for the young men, who she said had endured months of physical and psychological trauma.
One of the returnees, Aliyu Malami, thanked the Federal Government for facilitating their release and safe return home.
He recalled that the group travelled to Côte d'Ivoire for legitimate business but found themselves imprisoned for months because they could not communicate with local authorities due to language barriers.
Malami expressed optimism about rebuilding his life and returning to lawful business activities.
Before departing Abuja for Sokoto State, the returnees received relief packages from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other government agencies to support their immediate needs as they reunite with their families.