Drugs: Nigeria Applauds Saudi Arabia For Release Of 3 Nigerians

The Nigerian Government has praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for releasing three Nigerians arrested in Jeddah over alleged luggage linked to criminal drug syndicates.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the special assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.

Abdulkadir noted that the Nigerians – Mr Abdulhamid Sadieq, Mrs Maryam Abdullahi, and Mrs Bahijah Abdullahi – were arrested in August 2025 at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He noted that the banned substances were fraudulently attached to the victims’ air tickets by criminal syndicates at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), without the knowledge of the passengers.

“Upon notification, the Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb. Muazam Nayaya immediately engaged the Saudi authorities and informed Headquarters in Abuja.

Following their arrest, the statement recalled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was also requested to support the investigations.

“The Mission maintained regular contact with the authorities, conducted prison visits, and provided legal representation for the detainees,” Abdulkadir said.

He said their release reflects Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, as enshrined in the 4D Doctrine of President Bola Tinubu, as the Saudi authorities cleared the Nigerians of all wrongdoing and released them on September 14 and 15, 2025.

“A temporary travel restriction has been fully lifted. Mrs Maryam Abdullahi and Mrs Bahijah Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on November 5, 2025.”

The statement further noted that the travel ban on Sadieq was lifted on December 2, 2025, while arrangements for his return were ongoing.