- Culprits Apprehended
By Abiola Olawale
Saudi Arabian authorities have released three innocent Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah for over four weeks on allegations of drug trafficking.
The pilgrims, who were in the Kingdom for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), were said to be victims of what has been described as a sophisticated drug syndicate that framed them by tagging their luggage with illicit substances.
This was made known by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Femi Babafemi, who addressed a press briefing held on Wednesday.
Babafemi revealed that the ordeal began on August 6, 2025, when Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq departed from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano, Nigeria, aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 bound for Jeddah.
He said that unbeknownst to the pilgrims, an alleged criminal syndicate operating at the airport had swapped or tagged their bags with containers hiding illegal drugs, leading to their immediate arrest upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Babafemi said the three Nigerians freed after four weeks in custody are Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr Abdulhamid Saddieq.
He said: “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.
“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 of the NDLEA investigation, charges filed against the syndicate, and other evidence proving the pilgrims’ innocence, Marwa engaged with 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 was released from custody on Sunday and the remaining two on Monday.
Babafemi said Marwa expressed delight over the outcome and commended his Saudi counterpart at the GDNC for upholding the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies on collaboration and partnership.
“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.
