Five young Nigerians who had been detained at MACA Prison in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, since August 2025 returned to the country on Tuesday following the Federal Government’s intervention.
The returnees were received at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on June 30, 2026, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and other government officials.
According to officials, six Nigerians — Aliyu Malami, Nasiru Umar, Shamsu Abubakar, Sa’adu Bello, Lyman Mohammed, and Usama Murtala — had traveled by road from Sokoto to Abidjan on a trading trip when they were arrested. They were subsequently incarcerated without charge or trial.
Five of the six have now returned to Nigeria. The sixth, Usama Murtala, died after their release and was buried in Côte d’Ivoire as requested by his parents.
The Federal Government had launched diplomatic efforts to secure their release after learning of their detention. The successful repatriation underscores ongoing commitments to protect Nigerians abroad, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said while welcoming the returnees.
The young men were detained for nearly 11 months before their release. Further details on the circumstances of their arrest and the negotiations leading to their freedom were not disclosed.
