FG Rescues Five Nigerians from Côte d’Ivoire Prison

The Nigerian government successfully facilitated the return of five Nigerians who were detained in a Côte d’Ivoire prison following a diplomatic intervention led by Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The detainees, identified as Malam Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa'adu Bello, Lyman Murtala, and Usama Murtala, were arrested in August 2025 during a trade trip from Sokoto to Abidjan.

They were held without charge or trial, and their plight came to the government's attention in April 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan to intervene.

Usama Murtala reportedly became ill due to harsh prison conditions and inadequate medical care. The five men were released on June 24, 2026, and returned to Nigeria via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The Nigerian government has requested support from the Sokoto State government for rehabilitation programs for the returnees, emphasizing the risks faced by young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.