The Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were arrested in Jeddah over alleged drug trafficking.

Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddieq were detained for four weeks before regaining their freedom.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), secured their release through engagements with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia, with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the assistance of other senior government officials.

The officials who played key roles included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Investigations revealed that a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, had planted illicit drugs in the luggage of the three Nigerians. Following complaints from their families, security agencies launched an investigation that led to the arrest of 55-year-old drug kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar and three other syndicate members.

Charges have since been filed against Abubakar and his accomplices: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir.

Marwa’s intervention, supported by other officials, culminated in the release of the three pilgrims. One of them was freed on Sunday, September 14, while the remaining two were released on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Expressing delight over the development, Marwa commended his counterpart at the Saudi GDNC for upholding the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding between the NDLEA and GDNC on collaboration and partnership.

He also praised President Tinubu for ensuring that Nigerians are treated fairly abroad, and extended gratitude to the Attorney General, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Aviation.