The Federal Government has announced the release of three Nigerians earlier detained in Saudi Arabia after being wrongly linked to prohibited substances found in luggage fraudulently tagged to their travel documents.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mr. Abdulhamid Sadieq, Mrs. Maryam Hussein Abdullahi, and Mrs. Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi were fully cleared by Saudi authorities following weeks of investigation and diplomatic engagement.
According to the Ministry, the three were arrested in August 2025 at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah after security operatives found contraband attached to their boarding tickets—items later traced to criminal syndicates operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The Consul General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb. Muazam I.J. Nayaya, moved swiftly after receiving notification of the arrests.
“He immediately engaged Saudi authorities, informed Headquarters in Abuja and requested assistance from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to support the investigation,” the statement said.
The Mission also carried out routine prison visits and secured legal representation for the detainees while maintaining continuous communication with Saudi officials.
Following a thorough security review, the three Nigerians were exonerated and subsequently released on 14 and 15 September 2025. Saudi authorities also lifted the temporary travel ban imposed during the investigation.
Mrs. Maryam Hussein Abdullahi and Mrs. Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on 5 November 2025, while the restriction on Mr. Abdulhamid Sadieq was lifted on 2 December 2025. The Ministry confirmed that arrangements for his return are now being finalised.
The Ministry commended the professionalism of Saudi authorities and the joint efforts of the NDLEA and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah.
“This development reinforces Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the protection and welfare of its citizens abroad, in line with the 4D Doctrine of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said.
