Immigration counters are seen at the arrival hall ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 28, 2022. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS
The federal government, through the ministry of foreign affairs, says three Nigerians who were detained in Saudi Arabia have been cleared of all wrongdoing and have had their travel bans fully lifted.
On August 25, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested Mohammed Ali Abubakar, a 55-year-old alleged drug kingpin also known as Bello Karama, and five members of his “syndicate” operating from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The agency had said the suspects were apprehended following investigations linking them to the shipment of illicit substances, which led to three “innocent Nigerians” being detained in Jeddah.
The three victims — Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq — boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah via Addis Ababa on August 6, 2025.
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On September 17, the NDLEA said they had been released.
In a statement on Wednesday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry, said the release followed the discovery of prohibited substances in luggage that criminal syndicates had fraudulently linked to their air tickets without their knowledge.
“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 three Nigerian nationals: Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Hussein Abdullahi, and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi, who were arrested in August 2025 at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,” the statement reads.
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“They were arrested after prohibited substances were discovered in luggage that criminal syndicates had fraudulently linked to their air tickets at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport without their knowledge.”
According to the spokesperson, Saudi authorities conducted thorough investigations and released the Nigerians from detention on September 14 and 15, 2025, while a temporary travel restriction pending the completion of security procedures has now been fully lifted.
“Upon notification, Amb. Muazam I. J. Nayaya, the consul general of Nigeria in Jeddah, immediately engaged Saudi authorities and reported the matter to headquarters in Abuja, while also requesting the intervention of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to support investigations,” he said.
“The mission maintained continuous engagement with the host authorities, ensured regular prison visits, and arranged legal representation for the detainees.
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“Mrs. Maryam Hussein Abdullahi and Mrs. Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on 5th November 2025, while the travel ban on Mr. Abdulhamid Sadieq was lifted on 2nd December 2025. Arrangements for his return are currently being finalised by the Nigerian Mission.
“This development reaffirms and aligns with Nigeria’s enduring commitment to the protection and welfare of its citizens abroad as enshrined in the 4D Doctrine of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The ministry also commended the cooperation and professionalism of the Saudi authorities throughout the process.
Ebienfa added that the NDLEA and the consulate in Jeddah “played a pivotal role in securing a just outcome”.
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