The Nigerian Government has announced the release and clearance of three Nigerians previously detained in Saudi Arabia, following a coordinated intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Saudi authorities.
In a statement issued by the Ministry’s spokesperson, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), ‘the individuals, Mr Abdulhamid Sadieq, Mrs Maryam Hussein Abdullahi, and Mrs Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi, were arrested in August 2025 at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah after prohibited substances were discovered in luggage fraudulently tagged to their tickets by criminal syndicates operating from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).’
The statement noted that upon learning of the arrests, Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam Nayaya immediately opened communication with Saudi officials, notified headquarters in Abuja, and sought the assistance of the NDLEA to establish the facts of the case.
The Mission continued sustained engagement with the host authorities, conducted regular prison visits, and provided legal support to ensure due process.
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Saudi investigators eventually confirmed the innocence of the three Nigerians, leading to their release on 14 and 15 September 2025, with the temporary travel ban subsequently lifted.
Mrs Maryam Hussein Abdullahi and Mrs Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi returned home on 5 November, while the ban on Mr Sadieq was lifted on 2 December, paving the way for his imminent return.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the professionalism and cooperation of the Saudi authorities, while also acknowledging the crucial roles played by the NDLEA and the Consulate in securing justice.
The development, the Ministry noted, “underscores Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Policy Doctrine.”