NDLEA: Saudi Arabia Frees Nigerian Pilgrims Detained Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were arrested and detained in Jeddah for four weeks over alleged drug trafficking, following interventions by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the federal government.. . Read ..Full.. Article.. .

The freed Nigerians are Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, who had travelled for the lesser hajj in August but were wrongfully implicated in drug smuggling.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, their release was the outcome of weeks of engagements between NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), and the leadership of the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC).

The agency disclosed that the breakthrough was achieved with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the contributions of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb.

Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN); and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The Consul General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb. Ibrahim Nayaya, also played a key role in the process.

The NDLEA investigation revealed that a drug trafficking syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the three unsuspecting pilgrims, who boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Jeddah on August 6, 2025.

The manipulation led to their arrest in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking, which sparked complaints from their families, and..  Read . .More …