The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has applauded the release of three Nigerians earlier detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking, following weeks of joint efforts by relevant government agencies.
NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement on Thursday, commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah for their collaborative roles in securing the freedom of the detainees.
The three Nigerians—Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mr. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq were found innocent after spending four weeks in Saudi custody.
Dabiri-Erewa described the outcome as another demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, assured that the administration would continue to protect Nigerians across the world from unjust treatment.
“No Nigerian anywhere in the world should suffer punishment for a crime they did not commit,” she said, while urging Nigerians abroad to remain law-abiding and respect the rules of their host countries.
She further recalled past cases, including that of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Ibrahim, who were similarly released in Saudi Arabia after being wrongfully accused of drug-related offences, noting that the government remains firm in defending its citizens abroad.
The NiDCOM boss also advised travelers to heed NDLEA’s warnings by always checking their luggage tags before check-in to avoid falling victim to drug cartels.
The statement, signed by Mr. Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, also expressed appreciation to the Saudi authorities for their cooperation in reviewing and resolving the matter.
