Three Nigerian pilgrims earlier detained in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on allegations of drug trafficking have been released after four weeks in custody.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, disclosed this Wednesday in Abuja during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters.
He named those freed as Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq.
“Their release followed weeks of sustained engagements by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia.
“This was made possible with the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the assistance of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN); as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,” Babafemi stated.
According to him, a drug syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport had tagged bags containing illicit substances with the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims, who travelled on August 6, 2025, aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Jeddah for the lesser hajj.
The trio was subsequently arrested in Saudi Arabia.
Marwa was said to have ordered an investigation following petitions by the victims’ families.
“The probe led to the arrest of 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, and three other members of the syndicate, including airline officials behind the shipment of the illicit substances for which the three innocent pilgrims were detained in Jeddah.
“Charges have since been filed against Abubakar and other members of the syndicate: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir,” the NDLEA said.
Armed with the findings, Marwa reportedly engaged his Saudi counterpart “at multiple levels and locations, including in Saudi Arabia, in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly in a foreign country.”
According to the NDLEA, one of the pilgrims regained freedom on Sunday while the other two were released on Monday.
Babafemi said Marwa welcomed the outcome and commended Saudi authorities for respecting the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries’ drug control agencies.
“The greatest support for our efforts in this case came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian receives due respect and fair treatment wherever they are in the world. That commitment came to bear in this case, ensuring that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about.
“We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN); as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who supported us throughout the matter,” Babafemi added.
The release came barely three weeks after NDLEA operatives arrested Abubakar and members of his syndicate in Kano, following evidence that extra bags were fraudulently checked in under the pilgrims’ names.
Investigations revealed that six additional bags were attached to their flight details, three of which contained narcotics.
One of the victims, Abdullahi, had only checked in a 9kg bag that did not arrive with her in Jeddah.
The luggage was later delivered on August 16, a day before her scheduled return, leading to her detention. A similar pattern was used against the other two pilgrims.