The Federal Government has announced the release of three Nigerians detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking, after Saudi authorities confirmed they had no link to the illicit substances found in luggage fraudulently associated with their travel details.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, confirming that Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Hussein Abdullahi, and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi have all been cleared and freed.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Consulate General of Nigeria in Jeddah, has secured the release and full lifting of the travel ban on the three Nigerian nationals,” Ebienfa said.
The trio was arrested in August 2025 at King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, after prohibited drugs were discovered in luggage wrongly tagged to their tickets at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. According to the ministry, the individuals had no knowledge of the items.
Ebienfa explained that the Nigerian Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, immediately engaged Saudi authorities and alerted Abuja once the arrests were reported.
“Ambassador Nayaya promptly contacted Saudi officials and sought the intervention of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to assist in uncovering the facts,” the ministry added.
Throughout the detention period, the Nigerian mission reportedly maintained close communication with Saudi authorities, conducted regular prison visits, and ensured legal representation for the detainees.
Saudi investigators eventually established the innocence of the three Nigerians, leading to their release on September 14 and 15, 2025. A temporary travel restriction placed on them was also lifted after the clearance.
The ministry confirmed that Maryam Abdullahi and Bahijah Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on November 5, 2025. The travel ban on Sadieq was lifted on December 2, and arrangements are underway to facilitate his return.
Ebienfa praised Saudi authorities for their cooperation.
“The Ministry commends the professionalism of the Saudi government throughout the process and acknowledges the crucial support provided by the NDLEA and the Consulate in achieving justice,” he said.
The ministry noted that the development underscores Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Policy Doctrine.
