Saudi authorities have freed three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Jeddah for over a month following allegations of drug trafficking, after sustained diplomatic engagements led by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The pilgrims — Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq — were arrested on August 6, 2025, upon arrival in Jeddah aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano. Unknown to them, a drug syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) had tagged bags containing illicit substances with their names, leading to their detention.
Their release came after weeks of coordinated intervention by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), who engaged extensively with his Saudi counterpart at the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC). Marwa’s efforts were backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Following investigations prompted by complaints from the pilgrims’ families, NDLEA uncovered the real culprits: 55-year-old kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar, alias Bello Karama, alongside three accomplices, including airline staff. Charges have since been filed against the syndicate members — Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir — for their role in the attempted trafficking that implicated the pilgrims.
With the evidence presented, Saudi authorities agreed to release the Nigerians — one on September 14, and the remaining two on September 15, 2025. Marwa commended the Saudi GDNC for respecting the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding on anti-drug collaboration between both countries, while attributing the success of the intervention to President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring no Nigerian suffers unjustly abroad.
Implications
The resolution of this case highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in the global fight against drug trafficking, while also reinforcing Nigeria’s stance on protecting its citizens against wrongful persecution abroad. Analysts note that the successful intervention strengthens diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and demonstrates NDLEA’s growing credibility in international narcotics enforcement.
Conclusion
The release of the three innocent pilgrims represents a victory for justice, diplomacy, and Nigeria’s image abroad. It sends a clear message that while the country is committed to confronting drug trafficking, it will also defend the rights and dignity of its citizens globally. Observers believe the swift prosecution of the Kano syndicate will further reassure Nigerians that the system can deliver justice both at home and abroad.
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