Saudi Arabia Frees Three Nigerian Pilgrims Detained Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

The pilgrims were freed after spending four weeks in custody

Saudi authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims previously detained in Jeddah over alleged drug trafficking, following weeks of diplomatic and security interventions. The pilgrims, identified as Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, Mrs. Bahijja Abdullahi, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, spent four weeks in custody before their release.

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Abuja. The briefing was represented by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Marwa explained that sustained engagement with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia, supported by President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, led to the pilgrims’ release.

Investigations by the NDLEA revealed a drug syndicate operating at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, had tagged drug-laden bags with the names of unsuspecting pilgrims traveling via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, for the lesser hajj. Following petitions from the families, NDLEA arrested the alleged mastermind, 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, along with three accomplices including airline officials Celestina Yayock, Abdulbasit Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir. Charges have been filed against the four suspects in Nigeria.

Marwa stated that armed with the investigation results, evidence of the pilgrims’ innocence, and charges against the syndicate members, NDLEA engaged Saudi authorities at multiple levels, in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly abroad. One pilgrim was released on September 14, while the remaining two were freed on September 15.

The NDLEA boss commended the Saudi GDNC for honoring the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two agencies and praised the support from President Tinubu, the Attorney General, relevant ministers, and the National Security Adviser. Marwa emphasized that the outcome reinforces that no Nigerian will be unjustly punished for crimes they did not commit abroad.