Saudi Frees Nigerian Pilgrims Framed by Drug Syndicate
PRNigeria reports that Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah for over four weeks following allegations of drug trafficking.
The freed pilgrims are Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq. They were arrested in August after arriving aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah for the lesser hajj, when bags tagged in their names were found to contain illicit drugs.
Investigations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) later revealed that a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) planted the drugs and fraudulently linked them to the unsuspecting pilgrims. The probe led to the arrest of the drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, and three accomplices including airline officials: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir. Charges have since been filed against the suspects in Nigeria.
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NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), personally engaged with the leadership of the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), presenting the outcome of the agency’s investigation and evidence proving the pilgrims’ innocence.
Following weeks of high-level diplomatic and security engagements, one of the pilgrims was freed on Sunday, September 14, while the other two regained freedom on Monday, September 15, 2025.
Marwa, in a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA spokesperson, commended Saudi authorities for upholding the Memorandum of Understanding between the NDLEA and GDNC on collaboration and partnership. He also attributed the success to the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the intervention of key officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“The biggest support came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian suffers unjustly in any part of the world. That principle was at the heart of our efforts in this case,” Marwa said.
By PRNigeria
