₦airaland Forum

The Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah last month following their arrest on allegations of drug trafficking.

The Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Femi Babafemi, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a press briefing held at the agency’s headquarters.

Babafemi said the three Nigerians freed after four weeks in custody are Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu and Mr Abdulhamid Saddieq.

“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,” Babafemi stated.

He explained that a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the three unsuspecting Nigerians, who travelled on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on 6 August 2025 to Jeddah for the lesser hajj. The pilgrims were subsequently arrested in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking.

Following complaints by the families of the detainees, Marwa ordered an investigation into the matter.

“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.


This came barely three weeks after the NDLEA operatives arrested a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Mohammed Abubakar, alias Bello Karama, alongside five members of his syndicate at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

Their arrest followed the wrongful detention of the three Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah, after drug consignments were secretly tagged to their names.

The matter came to light when the families of the detainees petitioned Marwa.

Investigations showed that six extra bags, which did not belong to the pilgrims, were checked in under their names.

Three of the bags were later found to contain illicit drugs.

According to Babafemi, one of the victims, Abdullahi, had only checked in a 9kg bag, which failed to arrive with her in Jeddah.

The luggage was delivered on August 16, a day before her scheduled return, when she was detained. The same scheme was used against the two other pilgrims.

Source: https://punchng.com/saudi-arabia-frees-three-nigerian-pilgrims-arrested-for-drug-trafficking

Hmmmmm



Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.
This will make the forum more interesting for everyone.

Drug cartels are complex networks of syndicates working @cross purposes. However the vulnerability of these pilgrims has to be thoroughly scrutinized

Hope they replicate same swift actions and approach when it involves those caught in Asia. What's good for the goose is also good for the gander. We believe in equity and fairness.

fuckingAyaya:
Hope they replicate same swift actions and approach when it involves those caught in Asia. What's good for the goose is also good for the gander. We believe in equity and fairness.

Those caught in Asia are chronic drug dealers who have sworn to deal in drugs until they leave this world. But for these freed ones, below is their case, according to Saudi govt.

Their arrest followed the wrongful detention of the three Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah, after drug consignments were secretly tagged to their names.

That was a narrow escape. Saudis hardly forgives when it comes to drug cases no matter your defence. I believe they had good relationships with this government, that's why.
That's why one needs to be careful the kind of take friends you will encounter during transitions from one country to another especially the Nigerians. Don't make friends or collect goods anyhow. The culprits should be extradited to Saudi Arabia if Nigerian government can't do full justice to them.

fuckingAyaya:
Hope they replicate same swift actions and approach when it involves those caught in Asia. What's good for the goose is also good for the gander. We believe in equity and fairness.

Lol before you can replicate that you must be ready to provide who set them up....


Or they will just go to Asia and colet key and free them...

The drug lord intervened. I can sight a different name from the usual 😂😂😂😂

God. This country is becoming too unfortunate. May we not fall into this kind of trap

To be honest, by default, I disbelieve those claim they are innocent when caught..

But one should pray not to be framed. MOST people worldwide don't seal their bags with film.

God forbid the bad guys insert something into the unprotected bags

[quote author= callmeDDD post=136835906]Narrow escape tho but I got to tell you that Saudi is now more liberal than before, they have amended their strict laws, you no see law wei dem amend for Ronaldo? Have they ever done that b4? They’re women now drive and go to Universities, gone are those days where they quickly execute people because of drug dealings, now they will investigate if truly you’re the bagman or it was pinned on you. [/quote]QWertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm123456789000000

This case gathered a lot of media attention and it's worth commending NDLEA for their constructive investigation.

The agency under the leadership of Gen. Buba Marwa Rtd. has tried to perform creditably.

The freed Nigerians should thank Almighty God as Drug related issues don't get resolved quickly

adenigga:
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

If that emboldened name truly exists, then Nigeria can also become a first world in 2 years. Funny people

Why IPOB not being freed in Thailand and Indonesia?
This is double standard

They should go and thank God that their heads were not chopped off

Put one hand on your head and say I will not check names

I will not check names

I shall not check names

The culprits should be extradited to Saudi Arabia. I don't trust NDLEA on this, see the way all government officials teamed up.

55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar
Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir,”

Where are their pictures , this is unlike NDLEA .
What's the name and quantity of the drugs?

Saudi Arabia will soon ban Nigeria pilgrims as the matter d evolve from now henceforth 🤷🏿

may they not implicate u in mata U knw nothing about. Just pray dem nor kobalise u

walozanga:
The drug lord intervened. I can sight a different name from the usual 😂😂😂😂

Richtaiwo:
Those caught in Asia are chronic drug dealers who have sworn to deal in drugs until they leave this world. But for these freed ones, below is their case, according to Saudi govt.

Oh! and you believe that as if it's not the same strategy drug dealers use all the time. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

Danisaint112:
Oh! and you believe that as if it's not the same strategy drug dealers use all the time. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

How come you know much about the strategy?

Are you talking from experience?

Richtaiwo:
How come you know much about the strategy?

Are you talking from experience?

You can continue to leave in denial but if you have followed every drug case carefully you will know it's mostly the claim drug dealers make.

fuckingAyaya:
Hope they replicate same swift actions and approach when it involves those caught in Asia. What's good for the goose is also good for the gander. We believe in equity and fairness.

I know someone will come up with this whataboutism shit.

What really saved the victims' asses was that their total luggage weights on arrival at Saudi was more than the luggage weights they were checked in with. So, it was quite obvious that someone tried to frame them up.

Now, you're comparing someone who had a bag secretly tagged in their name to someone who actually swallowed wraps of cocaine or heroin. Or did someone put the wraps inside them without their knowledge? And do you think Saudi would have welcomed any excuses for these ones, too, if they had ingested the substances found in the bagged tagged with their names?

Danisaint112:
You can continue to leave in denial but if you have followed every drug case carefully you will know it's mostly the claim drug dealers make.

In Denial? Wetin concern me with their strategy when that is not my business?

Me, na only name I dey check and I rarely get disappointed.

Richtaiwo:
Those caught in Asia are chronic drug dealers who have sworn to deal in drugs until they leave this world. But for these freed ones, below is their case, according to Saudi govt.

Great explanation, sadly that Obidient you are responding to doesn't have an interest in such.

Basic:
I know someone will come up with this whataboutism shit.

What really saved the victims' asses was that their total luggage weights on arrival at Saudi was more than the luggage weights they were checked in with. So, it was quite obvious that someone tried to frame them up.

Now, you're comparing someone who had a bag secretly tagged in their name to someone who actually swallowed wraps of cocaine or heroin. Or did someone put the wraps inside them without their knowledge? And do you think Saudi would have welcomed any excuses for these ones, too, if they had ingested the substances they were found with?

who frame them up every year it's time for the lesser hajj? Whenever they are caught with drugs the next thing is they was framed up, by who?

Richtaiwo:
Those caught in Asia are chronic drug dealers who have sworn to deal in drugs until they leave this world. But for these freed ones, below is their case, according to Saudi govt.

including the one that forfeited narcotics money in Chicago in 1993 they are all chronic drug dealers

Pilgrims oo.
How tf do you decide to traffic drugs while on a religious pilgrimage