A Nigerian inmate, Dennis Smith Okoro, has died at Kaliti Prison, a maximum-security correctional facility located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Okoro, a native of Abia State, was reportedly one of nearly 300 Nigerian nationals incarcerated at the facility. His death occurred during the week, months after concerns were raised about his worsening health condition.
Fellow Nigerian inmates alleged that Okoro developed a kidney-related illness while in custody and did not receive adequate medical care.
They claimed that funds were raised and handed over to prison authorities to facilitate his treatment, but he was never taken to a hospital.
The inmates further alleged that attempts to contact the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia regarding his deteriorating condition did not receive a prompt response.
As of the time of filing this report, his body was said to still be at the prison facility, with no official statement issued by Nigerian authorities.
Okoro’s death is the latest in a series of reported fatalities involving Nigerian inmates at Kaliti Prison.
In 2023, two Nigerians, Chizoba Eze and Uchenna Nwanneneme, reportedly died at the same facility under controversial circumstances. In 2025, another Nigerian inmate, Basil Ilobi Lawrence from Delta State, also died while in custody.
The recurring reports have renewed concerns about the welfare and treatment of Nigerian citizens incarcerated abroad.
