Video: Saudi Arabia frees three Nigerian pilgrims after wrongful drug trafficking detention
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced on Wednesday that Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Jeddah for nearly a month over alleged drug trafficking.
The pilgrims—Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddieq—were freed following intense diplomatic efforts.
The NDLEA Director for Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a press release confirmed, “Their freedom came following weeks of relentless engagements by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia, with the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the assistance of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, 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; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; as well as the Consul General, Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Amb. Ibrahim Nayaya.”
Investigation revealed that a drug syndicate operating at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, planted drugs in bags tagged with the names of these unsuspecting pilgrims who traveled to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, via Ethiopian Airlines. This led to their wrongful arrest.
Babafemi explained, “Following complaints to the NDLEA boss by families of the three victims 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 airline officials behind the shipment.”
The NDLEA boss, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, emphasised the importance of justice and presidential support, “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.”
The diplomatic efforts resulted in the release of one pilgrim on September 14 and the remaining two on September 15, 2025. The collaboration between NDLEA and Saudi GDNC under their Memorandum of Understanding was crucial for this outcome.
Marwa also acknowledged, “We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Hon. Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Foreign Affairs Minister, Minister of Aviation, the National Security Adviser, and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah for their commendable role and support in the whole process.”
