Saudi Arabia Frees Nigerian Pilgrims Detained Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were arrested and detained in Jeddah for four weeks over alleged drug trafficking, following interventions by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the federal government.

The freed Nigerians are Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, who had travelled for the lesser hajj in August but were wrongfully implicated in drug smuggling.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, their release was the outcome of weeks of engagements between NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), and the leadership of the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC).

The agency disclosed that the breakthrough was achieved with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the contributions of 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, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN); and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The Consul General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb. Ibrahim Nayaya, also played a key role in the process.

The NDLEA investigation revealed that a drug trafficking syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the three unsuspecting pilgrims, who boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Jeddah on August 6, 2025.

The manipulation led to their arrest in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking, which sparked complaints from their families.

Following a swift probe, NDLEA arrested 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar alias Bello Karama, alongside three other members of the syndicate: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir. The suspects, including airline officials, are now facing charges in Nigeria.

Marwa who was Aarmed with the investigation reports, evidence, and charges filed against the syndicate members, engaged his Saudi counterpart in multiple meetings, including visits to the Kingdom, in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly abroad.

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

Reacting to the development, Marwa lauded the cooperation of Saudi authorities and praised the federal government for its backing.

“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. 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,” Marwa said.

He also commended the Attorney General, Foreign Affairs and Aviation Ministers, the National Security Adviser, and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah for their “commendable role and support in the whole process.”

The NDLEA boss stressed that the release of the three innocent Nigerians reflects the spirit of cooperation between NDLEA and the Saudi GDNC under their Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration against drug trafficking.