Nigerian government secures release of six citizens detained in Côte d'Ivoire

The Federal Government has secured the release of six Nigerian citizens who were detained in Côte d’Ivoire on allegations related to economic crimes.

On Friday, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the outcome resulted from months of sustained diplomatic engagement between Nigerian officials and Côte d’Ivoire authorities.

The statement said that four of the detained Nigerians were released on June 22, 2026, while the remaining two regained freedom a day later on June 23, 2026.

The ministry attributed the successful resolution largely to the consistent intervention of the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan.

Under Ambassador Nwabiola C. Ezenwa’s leadership, the embassy maintained regular contact with relevant Côte d’Ivoire institutions throughout the detention period.

The Nigerian Government praised Ezenwa and embassy officials for their commitment and persistence, and thanked the Côte d’Ivoire government for its cooperation during the diplomatic process.

The ministry highlighted that the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire played a key role in resolving the issue peacefully.

Reaffirming its commitment to Nigerians abroad, the ministry said protecting citizens overseas remains a major priority of the Federal Government.

It stated that, “The Federal Government of Nigeria remains firmly committed to the protection of the rights, welfare and dignity of Nigerian citizens abroad.”