Nigeria Secures Release of Six Citizens from Côte d’Ivoire

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced the successful release of six Nigerians who were detained in Côte d’Ivoire on allegations related to economic crimes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this development in a statement issued on Friday, with spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa detailing that the detainees were reported to have been held since October 2025.

The release was achieved after a month of sustained diplomatic engagement by Nigerian officials with their Ivorian counterparts. Notably, four of the detainees were released on June 22, while the remaining two regained their freedom on June 23.

The Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, under the leadership of Ambassador Nwabiola C. Ezenwa, played a crucial role in maintaining regular contact with relevant Ivorian institutions throughout the detention period, ensuring steady consular access and monitoring the welfare and treatment of the detainees. The Ministry emphasized the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad as a priority for the government.