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Saudi Authorities Free 3 Nigerians After FG Proves Innocence in Drug Case

Saudi Authorities Free 3 Nigerians After FG Proves Innocence in Drug Case

Three Nigerian pilgrims detained for alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been released following a high-level intervention by the Federal Government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed their release during a press briefing on Wednesday, saying the move followed weeks of engagement between Nigerian authorities and Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC).

The freed pilgrims are Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, who were arrested in Jeddah last month after narcotics were found in luggage secretly tagged in their names. They are expected to return to Nigeria soon.

Babafemi urged Nigerian travellers to always check and confirm their baggage tags before departure to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

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Their arrest had sparked outrage at home after NDLEA investigations revealed that a drug syndicate at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) was responsible for planting drugs in the pilgrims’ luggage. The agency later arrested the kingpin, Mohammed Abubakar (alias Bello Karama), and five accomplices, including staff of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), who allegedly helped tag the bags.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), praised Saudi authorities for their cooperation and thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support, saying the release was in line with the president’s commitment to ensuring Nigerians are treated fairly abroad.

“No Nigerian should suffer unjustly for crimes they know nothing about anywhere in the world,” Marwa said, commending Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Foreign Affairs Minister, Aviation Minister, and National Security Adviser for their roles in resolving the case.

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The incident has reignited concerns over airport security in Nigeria, with NDLEA promising tighter checks at Kano airport to prevent a repeat of the scandal.