After weeks of security and diplomatic contacts, Saudi Arabian authorities have freed three Nigerian pilgrims who were previously held in Jeddah on suspicion of drug trafficking.  

This was revealed at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday by Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, the retired chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).  

Mr. Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, represented the NDLEA Chairman.  He claimed that after being detained for four weeks, the pilgrims—who were named as Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, and Mrs. Bahijja Abdullahi—were released.  

Additionally, he stated that their release followed his persistent interventions and interactions with the Saudi Arabian General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) leadership.

In addition to the participation of Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, he clarified that President Bola Tinubu completely supported the endeavors.  

He said that the National Security Advisor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, all contributed to this.

A drug syndicate operating at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, had marked illegal drug-laden suitcases with the names of unwary pilgrims, he noted, according to NDLEA investigations.  

He said that this was in reference to those who made the lesser hajj on August 6, 2025, by flying on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah.

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