‘We lost one of us’, Sokoto deportees recount detention in Côte d’Ivoire

Five indigenes of Sokoto State deported from Côte d’Ivoire have recounted how they spent about 10 months in detention over allegations of drug trafficking before they were cleared and returned to Nigeria.

The deportees, who arrived at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, on Thursday, said they travelled to Côte d’Ivoire in search of better economic opportunities but ended up in detention after they were arrested by security authorities.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Lukman Sani said they earned a living by moving from one community to another, exchanging damaged and non-functional mobile phones for cartons of Indomie noodles and plastic household items.

According to him, they were accused of involvement in drug trafficking and detained for 10 months despite repeatedly maintaining their innocence.

“We were investigated and it was later established that we had no involvement in any drug-related offence. After that, the Nigerian Embassy intervened and we were eventually released before being deported to Nigeria,” he said.

Lukman also alleged that before their deportation, the Ivorian authorities confiscated all their personal belongings.

He disclosed that they had travelled to Côte d’Ivoire as a group of six but only five made it back home.

“One of us fell ill after we regained our freedom but before we could leave Côte d’Ivoire. He died and was buried there. It was a painful experience for all of us,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, particularly the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, for securing their release. He also thanked the Sokoto State Government for receiving and supporting them upon their return.

The five deportees were received on arrival by officials of the Sokoto State Government led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal and Administrative Matters, Barrister Gandhi Umar, on behalf of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Speaking after receiving them at the Government House, Governor Ahmed Aliyu thanked God for their safe return and commended the Federal Government and the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire for facilitating their release and repatriation.

The governor assured the returnees of the state’s support in rebuilding their lives, saying those willing to continue their education would receive assistance, while others would be empowered through business and livelihood programmes.

A representative of the deportees’ families, Alhaji Sa’adu Tudun Wada, commended both the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government for their intervention, describing the return of the young men as a moment of relief and gratitude after months of uncertainty.