Three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking have been released following a comprehensive investigation and diplomatic engagement by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The NDLEA announced their release on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja, confirming that Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq were freed after spending four weeks in detention in Jeddah.
“Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained since last month over alleged drug trafficking,” said NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi.
The release followed high-level engagements between NDLEA leadership and Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), backed by the Nigerian government.
In August, the NDLEA had uncovered a drug syndicate accused of smuggling narcotics by planting them in the luggage of unsuspecting pilgrims at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The agency arrested the ringleader, Mohammed Abubakar alias Bello Karama, and five accomplices, who reportedly conspired with aviation handling staff to check in six bags—three of which contained illicit drugs—under the names of the three innocent pilgrims.
NDLEA investigations confirmed that each of the detained pilgrims had only checked in one personal bag, while the drug-laden luggage was tagged without their knowledge.
“The bags containing narcotics were secretly tagged against the complainants’ names without their knowledge or consent,” Babafemi said.
The criminal group used Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on August 6 for Jeddah via Addis Ababa. Karama himself traveled separately on Egypt Air.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) led the diplomatic efforts, presenting Nigeria’s investigative findings to Saudi authorities at various meetings, including an international drug control conference.
“Armed with charges filed against the real suspects and evidence proving the innocence of the pilgrims, Marwa engaged his Saudi counterpart in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly abroad,” Babafemi said.
One of the detainees was released on September 14, and the other two on September 15, 2025.
Marwa thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support, as well as key government figures who collaborated on the case, including Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Festus Keyamo, SAN; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; National Security Adviser.
“The biggest support came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian is treated with respect and fairness abroad,” Marwa stated.
Babafemi issued a fresh warning to Nigerian travelers, urging them to personally verify and tag their luggage to avoid being implicated in drug trafficking by criminal syndicates.
“Passengers must take personal responsibility for their baggage and report any suspicious activity,” he advised.
