NiDCOM Chairman Commends FG, NDLEA, NSA, Others Over Release of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia

By David Odama

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Thursday lauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah for their collaborative efforts that secured the release of three Nigerians detained in Saudi Arabia on allegations of drug trafficking.

In a statement signed by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, and made available to journalists in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa expressed deep appreciation to the agencies whose intervention ensured the prompt release of the three Nigerians after four weeks in custody.

According to the NiDCOM boss, the resolution of the case underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s determination to protect Nigerians globally, ensuring that no citizen suffers punishment for crimes not committed.

While cautioning Nigerians abroad to obey the laws of their host countries, Dabiri-Erewa identified those recently freed as Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mr. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq. She also reiterated the commission’s readiness to continue standing by Nigerian citizens in their travels, while warning against actions capable of tarnishing the country’s image.

Dabiri-Erewa described the release as a profound relief and further proof of the government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She recalled similar cases, including those of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Ibrahim, who were also exonerated in Saudi Arabia after being wrongfully accused of drug-related offences.

The NiDCOM Chairman also urged travelers to take NDLEA’s warnings seriously, especially when passing through border checkpoints with luggage, to avoid unnecessary embarrassment to themselves and to the nation. She further commended the Saudi authorities for their fairness and cooperation in reviewing the matter, which led to the release of the detainees.

It would be recalled that the three Nigerians—Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mr. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq—were detained for four weeks before being discharged and declared innocent.