- Safiu Kehinde
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the release of the three Nigerian pilgrims arrested and detained in Jeddah by Saudi Arabian authorities over alleged drug trafficking, following weeks of diplomatic and security engagements.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.
The NDLEA boss, represented by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi said that the pilgrims, identified as Mrs Maryam Abdullahi, Mrs Bahijja Abdullahi and Mr Abdulhamid Saddieq, were freed after spending four weeks in custody.
He also said that their release came after his sustained interventions and engagement with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia.
Marwa explained that the efforts were fully supported by President Bola Tinubu, alongside the contributions of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
This, he said included efforts from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
He added that investigations by the NDLEA revealed that a drug syndicate operating at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, had tagged illicit drug-laden bags with the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims who had travelled via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Jeddah on the 6th of August 2025, for lesser hajj.
“Following petitions from the families of the detainees, the NDLEA launched a probe which led to the arrest of the suspected mastermind, 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar.
“Abubakar who is also known as Bello Karama was arrested with three accomplices. The accomplices include airline officials identified as Celestina Yayock, Abdulbasit Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir,” he said.
Marwa, however, said that charges had since been filed against the four suspects in Nigeria.
“Armed with the outcome of our investigation, charges filed against the syndicate members, and other evidence to establish the innocence of the pilgrims, we engaged Saudi authorities.
“This was at multiple levels, including in Saudi Arabia, in line with President Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly in a foreign land,” he said.
The NDLEA boss said that following the engagements, one of the pilgrims was released on Sept. 14, while the remaining two regained freedom on the 15th of September.
Marwa commended the Saudi GDNC for honouring the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and partnership between both agencies.
“The biggest support for our efforts came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that Nigerians receive their deserved respect and fair treatment across the world,” he said.
Marwa also lauded the assistance of the Attorney General, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, as well as the National Security Adviser.
“This outcome demonstrates that no Nigerian will be unjustly punished for crimes they did not commit anywhere in the world,” the NDLEA boss added.