By Odita Sunday
Saudi authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were wrongfully detained in Jeddah for alleged drug trafficking, following weeks of intense diplomatic and security interventions led by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The three pilgrims , Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq had been held in custody for four weeks after their names were falsely tagged to luggage containing illicit substances by a drug syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
According to the NDLEA, the pilgrims had travelled on Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah on 6th August 2025 for lesser hajj, only to be arrested on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Following petitions from the victims’ families, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), ordered a full-scale investigation. The probe uncovered a cartel led by 55-year-old kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar, alias Bello Karama, alongside airline officials and associates — Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir — who allegedly masterminded the drug shipment. Charges have already been filed against them in Nigeria.
Armed with concrete evidence of the pilgrims’ innocence, Marwa engaged directly with the leadership of the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) across multiple meetings in and outside Saudi Arabia. His efforts, he said, were in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should “suffer unjustly in a foreign land.”
One of the three pilgrims was released on Sunday, 14th September, while the remaining two regained freedom on Monday, 15th September 2025.
Expressing delight at the outcome, Marwa said:“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.”
He further commended the Saudi authorities for honoring the Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration and partnership between NDLEA and GDNC, and acknowledged the backing of top Nigerian officials.
“We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who were with us all the way on the matter,” Marwa said.
The development marks a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s efforts to shield its citizens from falling victim to drug trafficking syndicates who exploit unsuspecting travellers.