NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi addressing newsmen in Abuja
Saudi authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims, Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, who were detained in Jeddah since August 2025 on allegations of drug trafficking.
The release follows four weeks of diplomatic efforts spearheaded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and supported by high-level Nigerian officials.
The NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the trio was arrested after a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano tagged bags containing illicit drugs with their names.
The pilgrims, who traveled on Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 to Jeddah for lesser hajj on August 6, 2025, were unaware of the drugs and faced detention upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Following complaints from the families of the detained pilgrims, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) launched an investigation, uncovering the syndicate’s activities.
The probe led to the arrest of the syndicate’s leader, 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, alias Bello Karama, and three other members, including airline officials: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir. Charges have been filed against them.
Marwa engaged relentlessly with the leadership of Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Consul General in Jeddah Amb. Ibrahim Nayaya.
These efforts culminated in the release of one pilgrim on September 14, 2025, and the remaining two on September 15, 2025.
Expressing relief at the outcome, Marwa praised the Saudi GDNC for honoring the Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and GDNC.
“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 said.
“And that is what has come to play in this case, that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about anywhere in the world.
“We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who were with us all the way on the matter. We can’t also but appreciate the Consul General, Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Amb. Ibrahim Nayaya and the entire staff of the Consulate for their commendable role and support in the whole process.”
