Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Jeddah last month on allegations of drug trafficking.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, confirmed their release on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja. He identified the freed pilgrims as Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq.
Their detention followed a flight from Kano to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, aboard Ethiopian Airlines, during which bags containing illicit drugs were wrongly tagged with their names. The pilgrims were subsequently arrested in Saudi Arabia, prompting outcry from their families.
Babafemi explained that an NDLEA investigation uncovered a syndicate operating at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport that planted the drugs. The probe led to the arrest of alleged kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, and three accomplices, including airline staff. Charges have since been filed against the suspects, identified as Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir.
“Their release followed weeks of sustained engagements by the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control,” Babafemi said. “This was made possible with the full support of President Bola Tinubu and the assistance of the Attorney General, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, and the National Security Adviser.”
One of the pilgrims was freed on Sunday, while the other two were released on Monday.
Babafemi said Marwa personally presented evidence proving the pilgrims’ innocence during discussions with Saudi officials, noting that the case demonstrated the importance of international cooperation under the NDLEA–GDNC Memorandum of Understanding.
“This outcome reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian suffers unjustly abroad,” Babafemi added.
The case has highlighted persistent concerns over airport security in Nigeria. NDLEA said the wrongful arrests came to light after it was discovered that six extra bags were checked in under the pilgrims’ names, three of which contained illicit drugs.
