Three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Saudi Arabia on allegations of drug trafficking have been released after weeks of diplomatic efforts and investigations. The pilgrims, who had traveled to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj, were arrested last month in Jeddah under suspicions of being involved in the illicit drug trade. However, after extensive engagement from Nigerian authorities, their innocence was proven.
The three Nigerians, Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, were released from detention after spending four weeks in custody. Their release followed sustained efforts from Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), and the support of key government officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The controversy began when a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano mislabeled bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims. The three Nigerians, who had boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 on 6th August 2025 from Kano to Jeddah, were unaware that their luggage had been switched with illegal substances. After completing their lesser hajj, they were arrested in Saudi Arabia and accused of drug trafficking.
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Upon receiving complaints from the families of the detained pilgrims, NDLEA launched an investigation. The probe uncovered the involvement of a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama. Abubakar, along with three other members of the syndicate, including airline officials, had orchestrated the shipment of illicit drugs that led to the wrongful arrests of the three Nigerians. In total, charges have been filed against Abubakar and his accomplices: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir.
With these findings in hand, Marwa engaged with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, ensuring that President Tinubu’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad was upheld. After a series of high-level discussions and with the aid of the NDLEA’s investigation results, one of the detained Nigerians was released on 14th September, and the remaining two were freed by 15th September 2025.
Marwa expressed his gratitude for the support from Saudi authorities, particularly for their cooperation in maintaining the integrity of the Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia. “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,” Marwa said. “This case reflects that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly in any foreign land.”
He also praised the involvement of key Nigerian officials, including the Attorney General, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Aviation, whose combined efforts were crucial to securing the release of the innocent pilgrims.
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