Five Nigerians Rescued from Côte d’Ivoire Prison

Five Nigerians, identified as Malam Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa'adu Bello, Lyman Murtala, and Usama Murtala, were rescued from a prison in Côte d’Ivoire and returned to Abuja on June 24, 2026. Their release followed diplomatic efforts led by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu and the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, involved in the process.

The detainees were arrested during a trade trip to Abidjan in August 2025 and were held without charges or trial. The Nigerian government became aware of their situation in April 2026 and intervened through its embassy in Abidjan.

Usama Murtala reportedly fell ill due to harsh prison conditions. The ordeal was exacerbated by language barriers, which hindered their ability to communicate and access legal representation.

The Nigerian government has requested support from the Sokoto State government for rehabilitation programs for the returnees.