Three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking have been released after weeks of diplomatic engagement, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed on Wednesday.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the pilgrims — Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq — had been in detention for four weeks before Saudi authorities freed them.
“Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking,” Babafemi told reporters in Abuja.
He added that the trio would soon return to Nigeria and cautioned air travellers to ensure their luggage is properly tagged to avoid being framed by drug cartels.
The release follows a major NDLEA investigation that exposed a syndicate responsible for planting narcotics in the luggage of innocent passengers at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The group, led by 55-year-old Mohammed Abubakar alias Bello Karama, allegedly colluded with Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) staff to tag extra drug-laden bags in the pilgrims’ names without their knowledge.
“Each of the three pilgrims checked in only one personal bag,” Babafemi explained. “The bags containing narcotics were secretly tagged against the complainants’ names without their knowledge or consent.”
The NDLEA said Karama flew separately on Egypt Air, while his accomplices smuggled the bags onto Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 bound for Jeddah. Several suspects have since confessed, with financial records linking them to the crime.
The agency disclosed that its Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), personally engaged Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) at different levels to prove the pilgrims’ innocence.
“The biggest support of our effort on this case came from President Tinubu who is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian gets their deserved respect and fair treatment wherever they are across the world,” Marwa said.
“No Nigerian should be unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about anywhere in the world.”
Marwa also thanked the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for backing the effort.
The arrests had stirred public outrage and renewed concerns about airport security and baggage handling in Nigeria. Authorities have since pledged tighter checks at Kano airport to prevent similar incidents.
