The Federal Government has pledged to seek justice over the death of a Nigerian, Usama Murtala, who died shortly after his release from detention in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the promise yesterday in a post on X.

The minister described the incident as heartbreaking and reflective of the challenges many young Nigerians face while seeking better opportunities abroad.

According to the minister, Usama and several other Nigerians travelled by road from Sokoto to Abidjan to trade in mobile phone parts but were arrested under what she called suspicious circumstances and detained at the MACA Prison in Abidjan without charge or trial since last year.

She said the matter came to her attention in April, prompting her to contact the Nigerian mission in Abidjan. EITIValidation Support

Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said sustained diplomatic engagements by the Nigerian mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eventually secured the release of the detainees.

The minister regretted that Usama’s health had deteriorated during his detention due to inadequate medical care.

She said officials of the Nigerian High Commission conveyed him to a critical care hospital immediately after his release, but he died the following morning before he could return to Nigeria.

The minister noted that informing the family of the deceased in Sokoto of his death as one of the most painful moments of the ordeal.

Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said they had been preparing for his return.

She said Usama was buried in Abidjan according to Islamic rites, in line with the wishes of his parents, with officials of the Nigerian Mission and his fellow former detainees in attendance.

Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the Federal Government had facilitated the return of the surviving detainees, identified as Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello, and Lyman Mohammed.

The minister said Usama’s death underscored the plight of many vulnerable Nigerians imprisoned abroad after leaving the country in search of greener pastures. Demographics

“Usama had seen freedom, but did not live long enough to return home and enjoy it. This is the reality many of our citizens face when they travel in search of greener pastures. Many are young people whose paths take unexpected and tragic turns,” she said.

The minister said many Nigerians abroad become entangled in unfamiliar legal systems without adequate support, leaving them vulnerable.

Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians overseas, saying it would formally take up Usama’s case with the Ivorian authorities.

“We will be taking up Usama’s case with the Ivorian authorities. To the survivors of this harrowing ordeal — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello and Lyman Mohammed — we will be there to receive you and celebrate your triumph over adversity. In advance, we say, ‘welcome home’,” she said (Text, excluding headline: The Nation)

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