Saudi authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims earlier detained in Jeddah over alleged drug trafficking, following weeks of diplomatic and investigative interventions led by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The freed pilgrims are Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, who were arrested on August 6, 2025, after travelling aboard Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 from Kano for the lesser hajj. They spent four weeks in custody before their release on September 14 and 15, 2025.
Their freedom came after the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), engaged the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia. The intervention was backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
NDLEA’s investigation revealed that a drug syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) tagged bags containing illicit substances with the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims. This led to the arrest of suspected kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar, alias Bello Karama (55), and three accomplices: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir. They are now facing prosecution in Nigeria.
Marwa, expressing joy over the pilgrims’ release, commended his Saudi counterpart for respecting the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDLEA and GDNC. He attributed the success of the intervention to the unwavering commitment of President Tinubu and the collaborative support of key government officials.
“The biggest support of our effort came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is unjustly punished abroad. This case proves that Nigeria will stand firmly for its citizens anywhere in the world,” Marwa said.
