Saudi Arabia frees three Nigerian pilgrims arrested for drug trafficking

Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah last month over alleged drug trafficking.

The Director of Media and Advocacy at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development on Wednesday during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Those freed after four weeks in detention are Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq.

Babafemi explained that their release followed sustained diplomatic engagements led by the NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia. The efforts were supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Investigations revealed that a drug syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the three unsuspecting Nigerians, who travelled on an Ethiopian Airlines flight (ET940) from Kano to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, for the lesser hajj.

Following petitions from the families of the detainees, the NDLEA launched a probe which led to the arrest of a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar (alias Bello Karama), along with three accomplices, including airline officials.

Charges have since been filed against Abubakar and other syndicate members: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir.

Armed with the findings of its investigation and evidence proving the innocence of the pilgrims, the NDLEA engaged its Saudi counterparts at multiple levels. As a result, one of the pilgrims was released on Sunday, with the remaining two freed on Monday.

The NDLEA stressed that the development reflects President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly in a foreign country.