Saudi Arabia Releases Nigerian Pilgrims Detained Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

Three Nigerian pilgrims detained by Saudi Arabian authorities over alleged drug trafficking have been released after four weeks in custody.

They are Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddieq.

Their freedom followed weeks of relentless engagement by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd.), with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia, and the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Those who equally assisted in their release include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF),  Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and the  Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Announcing the release of the Nigerians yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said Marwa commended his Saudi counterpart, attributing the success of NDLEA interventions to President Tinubu’s commitment, as well as the support of the AGF, Foreign Affairs, Aviation Ministers, and the NSA.

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 Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on 6th August 2025 to Jeddah on the lesser Hajj. They were later arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking.

Following complaints to the NDLEA boss by families of the three victims over the detention of their family members in Saudi Arabia after the completion of their lesser hajj on an allegation of trafficking in illicit substances, an investigation was launched to unravel what happened.

The probe led to the arrest of 55-year-old drug kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar, alias Bello Karama and three other members of the syndicate, including the airline officials behind the shipment of the illicit substances for which the three innocent pilgrims were arrested and detained in Jeddah.

Charges had since been filed against Mohammed Ali Abubakar and other members of the syndicate: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir.

Armed with the outcome of the NDLEA investigation and charges filed against members of the syndicate, as well as other evidence to prove the innocence of the three Nigerian pilgrims, Marwa engaged with his Saudi counterpart at multiple levels and different locations, including Saudi Arabia, in compliance with President Tinubu’s agenda that no Nigerian suffers unjustly in a foreign land.

Following the series of engagements, one of the three Nigerians was released from custody on Sunday, 14th September and the remaining two on Monday, 15th September 2025.

Expressing happiness over the development, Marwa commended his counterpart at the Saudi GDNC for upholding the essence of the Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and GDNC on collaboration and partnership.

“The biggest support of our effort on this case came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian gets their deserved respect and fair treatment wherever they are across the world.

“And that is what has come to play in this case, that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about anywhere in the world.

“We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and the 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.”