Three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking have regained their freedom after weeks in custody, following the intervention of the Federal Government.
Gatekeepers News reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed the development at a press briefing on Wednesday.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, said the release was secured through engagements between the agency and Saudi authorities.
“Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking. The three Nigerians who were freed from detention after four weeks in custody include Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq,” he said.
He noted that the freed pilgrims would return to Nigeria soon, while cautioning air travellers to ensure their luggage is properly tagged before departure to avoid falling victim to drug cartels.
The Syndicate Behind the Ordeal
In August, NDLEA arrested a suspected drug baron, Mohammed Abubakar (alias Bello Karama), along with five accomplices accused of planting drugs in the luggage of innocent passengers at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The agency said the syndicate, working in collusion with staff of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), illegally tagged six additional bags to the pilgrims’ names — three of which contained narcotics. Investigations confirmed that each of the detained pilgrims checked in only one personal bag.
Babafemi explained that while Karama travelled separately on Egypt Air, his accomplices smuggled the drug-laden bags on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which left Kano for Jeddah via Addis Ababa on August 6.
Diplomatic Push and Resolution
The NDLEA boss said Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) personally engaged Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), armed with evidence from Nigeria’s investigation.
“Armed with the outcome of the NDLEA investigation and charges filed against members of the syndicate, as well as other evidence to prove the innocence of the three Nigerian pilgrims, Marwa engaged with his Saudi counterpart at multiple levels and different locations… in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda that no Nigerian suffers unjustly in a foreign land,” Babafemi said.
He disclosed that one of the detainees was freed on September 14, while the remaining two were released on September 15, 2025.
Marwa hailed the cooperation of the Saudi authorities, commending them for honouring the Memorandum of Understanding on narcotics control between both countries.
“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. And that is what has come to play in this case, that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about anywhere in the world,” Marwa said.
He also thanked the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for supporting the push that led to the pilgrims’ release.
The incident had earlier stirred public concern over airport security in Nigeria. Authorities have since pledged tighter monitoring of baggage handling at Kano airport to prevent similar cases in the future.
