Abuja — Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were wrongfully detained in Jeddah last month over allegations of drug trafficking.

The Director of Media and Advocacy at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, confirmed their release on Wednesday during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Those freed after four weeks in custody are Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq.

According to Babafemi, their freedom followed weeks of sustained engagement by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC).

“This was made possible with the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the assistance of the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,” Babafemi stated.

He explained that a drug trafficking syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport planted illicit substances in bags tagged in the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims, who had boarded an Ethiopian Airlines flight (ET940) from Kano to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, for the lesser hajj.

The pilgrims were arrested on arrival in Jeddah, prompting complaints from their families. Marwa then ordered an in-depth investigation, which led to the arrest of the syndicate’s kingpin, 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar (alias Bello Karama), and three accomplices, including airline staff.

“Charges have since been filed against Abubakar and other members of the syndicate: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir,” Babafemi confirmed.

Armed with these findings, Marwa engaged Saudi authorities directly, presenting evidence of the pilgrims’ innocence. Following this, one of the detainees was freed on Sunday and the remaining two on Monday.

Babafemi commended the GDNC for upholding the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on anti-drug collaboration.

He stressed that President Tinubu’s firm directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly abroad was pivotal to the successful resolution.

“The greatest support came from President Tinubu, who ensured that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about. That commitment came to bear in this case,” Babafemi said.

This resolution comes just weeks after NDLEA operatives arrested Abubakar and his syndicate at the Kano airport, linking them directly to the wrongful detention of the pilgrims. Investigations revealed that six extra bags had been fraudulently checked in under the pilgrims’ names, three of which contained illicit drugs.

One of the victims, Mrs. Abdullahi, reportedly checked in only a 9kg bag, which was delayed and never arrived with her in Jeddah. It was later traced and linked to the planted consignment.

The NDLEA says prosecution of the syndicate is underway in Nigeria.