Three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking have regained their freedom after weeks of high-level intervention by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with the backing of President Bola Tinubu and other top government officials.
The pilgrims, Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, were arrested in Jeddah in August after illicit drugs were discovered in their baggage.
They had travelled on an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, for the lesser hajj.
According to NDLEA, investigations revealed that a drug syndicate operating out of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, planted the contraband and tagged the unsuspecting pilgrims’ luggage.
The probe led to the arrest of 55-year-old drug kingpin Mohammed Abubakar (alias Bello Karama) and three accomplices, Celestina Yayock, Abdulbasit Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir, including some airline officials.
Charges have already been filed against the suspects in Nigeria.
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Armed with the investigation results and evidence proving the innocence of the pilgrims, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd) engaged Saudi authorities through the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC).
The talks, held at different levels both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, ultimately secured the release of the detained Nigerians.
One of the pilgrims was released on Sunday, September 14, 2025, while the remaining two were freed on Monday, September 15, 2025, after more than four weeks in custody.
Marwa praised the GDNC for honouring the memorandum of understanding between both agencies on cooperation and collaboration in drug control.
He also attributed the success of the intervention to President Tinubu’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad.
“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.
“That is what has come to play in this case – that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA boss also commended the efforts of the Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the pilgrims.
