Three Nigerian nationals, previously arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, have been released after spending ten months in detention.
The individuals, identified as Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, were apprehended on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah for alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
Announcing their release, the acting spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, issued a statement on Sunday, providing details of the incident and the subsequent diplomatic efforts. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that three Nigerian nationals, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, Saudi Arabia, have been released after spending ten months in detention,” the statement read.
Ebienfa further explained that the arrest of the three women was linked to an earlier incident where two Nigerian nationals were caught in possession of substantial quantities of cocaine. The individuals were found with 80 capsules of cocaine weighing 900.28 grams and 70 capsules weighing 789.5 grams. The Saudi authorities suspected the women of being accomplices in the drug trafficking operation, leading to their detention.
“The arrest of the three women was a result of the earlier arrest of two Nigerian nationals who were found in possession of 80 capsules of cocaine weighing 900.28 grams and 70 capsules of cocaine weighing 789.5 grams, respectively. The women were detained by the Saudi authorities on suspicion of being accomplices and abetting the trafficking of the banned substance found on the aforementioned arrested Nigerians,” the spokesperson added.
The Ministry highlighted that the case attracted significant attention in both Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, prompting extensive diplomatic and legal efforts to secure their release. The successful conclusion of these engagements led to their discharge and acquittal, with the women handed over to the Nigerian Consulate-General in Jeddah.
“The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Their successful release was achieved after prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements, culminating in their discharge and acquittal, as well as their subsequent handover to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jeddah,” Ebienfa stated.
Upon their release, the women were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah. They are currently undergoing necessary immigration procedures to facilitate their return to Nigeria, where they will reunite with their families.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to the Saudi authorities and the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the safe release of the detained women. The Ministry also reassured Nigerians of its commitment to the welfare and rights of its citizens abroad, emphasizing that such cases would continue to receive the necessary attention and intervention.
