Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Jeddah for over a month on allegations of drug trafficking.
This follows weeks of diplomatic intervention and investigations that proved their innocence.
The pilgrims, Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, were arrested after bags tagged in their names were found to contain illicit substances.
“Their freedom came following weeks of relentless engagements by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia with the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the assistance of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN”.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi at a news conference in Abuja, said, an investigation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) later revealed that a syndicate operating at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport was behind the crime, leading to the arrest of a drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, and three accomplices, including airline officials.
“A syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the three unsuspecting Nigerians who travelled on an Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 which departed Kano on 6th August 2025 to Jeddah on lesser hajj. They were later arrested in Saudi for alleged drug trafficking”.
He explained that, with evidence from the probe, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), engaged Saudi authorities to secure the pilgrims’ release, with full support from President Bola Tinubu and relevant government ministries.
One of the victims regained freedom on September 14, while the remaining two were freed the following day.
The NDLEA Chairman, expressed delight at the outcome, commending Saudi counterparts for honoring the cooperation framework with Nigeria.
He noted that the intervention reflected President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian suffers unjustly abroad, while also appreciating the support of top government officials who backed the effort.
“We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who were with us all the way on the matter.”
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen