Photo File: NDLEA Logo

Three Nigerian pilgrims who had been detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking charges have been released. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed the development in a press briefing on Wednesday, highlighting the success of diplomatic efforts between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities.

The three Nigerians, who had been in custody since last month, include Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq. According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the release followed a series of engagements between the Nigerian agency and the Saudi government.

Babafemi confirmed that the three pilgrims are expected to return to Nigeria soon. “Saudi Arabian authorities have released the three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking,” Babafemi said during a press briefing. “Their release came after four weeks in custody and is the result of the efforts made by the NDLEA and the Nigerian government.”

The NDLEA also issued a warning to air passengers to ensure their luggage is appropriately tagged before departure to avoid falling victim to drug trafficking syndicates. “We advise all air passengers to always ensure the appropriate tagging of their luggage before departure to avoid being implicated by drug dealers,” Babafemi added.

In August, the NDLEA uncovered a drug trafficking syndicate that had been planting narcotics in the luggage of unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims. The operation led to the arrest of the suspected drug kingpin Mohammed Abubakar, alias Bello Karama, and five other members of the syndicate. The group was accused of smuggling illicit substances aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed from Kano on August 6, en route to Jeddah via Addis Ababa.

The three Nigerian pilgrims, Maryam Hussaini (a 39-year-old mother of five), Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq were reportedly unaware that their luggage had been tampered with. According to the NDLEA, each of the pilgrims checked in only one personal bag. However, members of the drug syndicate, in collaboration with staff from Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), secretly tagged six additional bags with the pilgrims’ names. Three of these bags contained narcotics.

“The bags containing narcotics were secretly tagged against the complainants’ names without their knowledge or consent,” Babafemi said. “Karama travelled separately on Egypt Air, while his accomplices checked in the drug-laden luggage on Ethiopian Airlines.”

The NDLEA also named other suspects involved in the operation, including Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan, Celestina Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir, who confessed to their roles in the syndicate. Evidence of payments linked to these suspects was also traced during investigations.

In response to the arrests, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) engaged Saudi officials, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to the fair treatment of its citizens abroad. Marwa’s diplomatic efforts included meeting with officials from Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) at an international drug conference.

Photo File: NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brigadier General Buba Marwa

“Armed with the outcome of the NDLEA investigation and charges filed against members of the syndicate, as well as other evidence to prove the innocence of the three Nigerian pilgrims, Marwa engaged with his Saudi counterpart at multiple levels and locations, including Saudi Arabia, in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda that no Nigerian suffers unjustly in a foreign land,” Babafemi explained.

Following these discussions, Mrs. Maryam Hussaini Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq were released, with Mrs. Abdullahi freed on September 14 and the other two on September 15, 2025.

The NDLEA Chairman expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, lauding the cooperation between the Nigerian and Saudi authorities. “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,” Marwa stated.

“We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN; as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who were with us all the way on the matter,” Marwa added.

The incident has raised concerns about airport security and baggage handling in Nigeria, particularly at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), where the drug trafficking syndicate operated. Nigerian authorities have since vowed to tighten security measures at the airport to prevent similar incidents in the future.