Raphael Kanu
The Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims earlier detained in Jeddah over alleged drug trafficking, following weeks of diplomatic and security engagements
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The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.
Marwa, represented by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the pilgrims — Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, Mrs. Bahijja Abdullahi, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq — were freed after spending four weeks in custody.
He explained that their release came after his sustained interventions and engagement with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the efforts were fully supported by President Bola Tinubu, alongside the contributions of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. Other key players included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Marwa revealed that NDLEA investigations uncovered a drug syndicate operating at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, which had tagged illicit drug-laden bags with the names of unsuspecting pilgrims.
The affected pilgrims had travelled via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, for the lesser hajj.
“Following petitions from the families of the detainees, the NDLEA launched a probe which led to the arrest of the suspected mastermind, 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama,” Marwa said.
He disclosed that Abubakar was arrested alongside three accomplices, including airline officials identified as Celestina Yayock, Abdulbasit Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir.
The NDLEA boss added that charges had already been filed against the four suspects in Nigeria.
“Armed with the outcome of our investigation, charges filed against the syndicate members, and other evidence to establish the innocence of the pilgrims, we engaged Saudi authorities at multiple levels, including in Saudi Arabia, in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly in a foreign land,” Marwa explained.
He noted that one of the pilgrims was released on September 14, while the remaining two regained freedom on September 15.
Marwa commended the Saudi GDNC for honouring the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and partnership between the two agencies.
“The biggest support for our efforts came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that Nigerians receive their deserved respect and fair treatment across the world,” he said.
He also lauded the assistance of the Attorney-General, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, as well as the National Security Adviser.
“This outcome demonstrates that no Nigerian will be unjustly punished for crimes they did not commit anywhere in the world,” the NDLEA boss added.