Saudi Arabia Releases Three Nigerian Pilgrims Wrongly Arrested for Drug Trafficking

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

At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed that the freed Nigerians are Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddieq. They were released after spending four weeks in custody.

Babafemi explained that their release was the result of sustained efforts by the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), who engaged extensively with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia. He noted that the intervention was further supported by President Bola Tinubu and the assistance of top government officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; 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 (MAKIA), Kano, had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the three unsuspecting Nigerians. The pilgrims, who departed Kano on August 6, 2025, aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Jeddah for lesser hajj, were arrested in Saudi Arabia upon arrival.

Following complaints from their families, the NDLEA launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, along with three accomplices, including airline officials. They were identified as Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir. Charges have since been filed against the suspects.

Armed with the investigation findings, evidence, and filed charges, Marwa engaged with his Saudi counterparts at various levels, in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer injustice abroad.

As a result, one of the detained pilgrims was released on Sunday, September 14, while the remaining two regained freedom the following day, September 15, 2025.

Expressing relief, Babafemi said the NDLEA chairman commended the Saudi GDNC for honoring the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration between both agencies.

“The strongest support came from President Tinubu, whose commitment is that every Nigerian must be treated with dignity and fairness wherever they are. This case is a clear example of that policy in action,” Babafemi stated.

He further appreciated the contributions of the Attorney General, the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Aviation Minister, and the National Security Adviser, all of whom played vital roles in securing the pilgrims’ release.