The Federal Government has secured the release of five Nigerians who spent about 10 months in detention at a prison in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, following diplomatic intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this while receiving the returnees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by her Special Assistant on Communication, Magnus Eze.
The returnees, Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa'adu Bello and Lyman Mohammed, arrived in Abuja on Tuesday after regaining their freedom.
The ministry explained that the five were among six Nigerians who travelled by road from Sokoto State to Côte d'Ivoire in August 2025 for business but were arrested and detained without being charged or tried.
It, however, disclosed that the sixth detainee, Usama Murtala, died shortly after regaining his freedom.
According to the ministry, Odumegwu-Ojukwu directed the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan to intervene immediately after learning of their detention in April, leading to sustained diplomatic engagements that eventually secured their release.
The statement said Murtala became critically ill while in custody due to inadequate medical attention and died in hospital on June 24, a day after he and the others were released by the Ivorian authorities. He was subsequently buried in accordance with Islamic rites after consultations with his family in Sokoto State.
Speaking during the reception, the minister said Nigerian authorities were initially unaware of the men's detention, a situation that delayed diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
She lamented that the detainees were imprisoned without formal charges or trial, adding that language barriers prevented them from communicating effectively or obtaining legal assistance in the French-speaking country.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Murtala's death as tragic and said the Federal Government would pursue compensation from the Ivorian authorities over the circumstances surrounding the case.
She also cautioned Nigerians against embarking on risky journeys abroad in search of better opportunities, noting that many citizens detained overseas often become victims of unfamiliar legal systems while transiting through foreign countries.
The minister said the intervention reflected President Bola Tinubu's Citizen Diplomacy initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.
She further appealed to the Sokoto State Government to support the returnees through rehabilitation and skills acquisition programmes, disclosing that the Federal Government had formally requested assistance to help them rebuild their lives.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Malami expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for facilitating their release and safe return, recalling that language difficulties prevented them from explaining their situation to the authorities.
He said he was determined to rebuild his life through legitimate business.
The minister later presented support packages provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies before the returnees departed Abuja for Sokoto State to reunite with their families.
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