Saudi Arabia Frees 3 Nigerians Falsely Accused of Drug Crimes
In a major diplomatic relief, Saudi Arabia has released three Nigerian pilgrims who were wrongfully detained for four weeks over alleged drug trafficking, a charge Nigerian officials and the pilgrims’ families have consistently denied.
The trio — identified as Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq were arrested.
It was reported via the NDLEA social media page that they boarded an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on August 6th, 2025, to Jeddah en route Addis-Ababa, where they were tagged with six additional bags not belonging to them.
Saudi authorities claimed “suspicious substances” were found in their luggage. But after forensic tests, diplomatic interventions, and mounting pressure from Abuja, Saudi officials confirmed no illicit drugs were found, and the substances were likely traditional herbs and scented oils commonly carried by pilgrims for personal and spiritual use.
“The Saudi authorities have formally cleared them of all charges,” confirmed Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement issued Monday. “They are safe, in good health, and will be repatriated to Nigeria within 48 hours.”
The pilgrims, all first-time Umrah travelers, were detained in a Jeddah facility. At the same time, Saudi narcotics officers conducted laboratory analysis on the seized items, including oud (fragrant wood), ittar (perfumed oil), and medicinal herbs such as zurmat al-hajj, often used by West African pilgrims for prayer and wellness.
Their families raised the alarm in early March, pleading with the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for help. Local media reports and social media campaigns.
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NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdulahi Sella confirmed that Saudi investigators eventually determined the items posed no narcotic or legal threat.
This incident has reignited calls for better pre-travel orientation for Nigerian pilgrims, especially regarding customs regulations in Islamic host countries.
“Many of our pilgrims carry traditional items without knowing they may trigger alarms abroad,” said Hajia Zainab Umar, a veteran Umrah guide. “We need mandatory briefings — not just on rituals, but on what you can and cannot pack.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is working with NAHCON and Saudi authorities to develop a standardized “Pilgrim Customs Guide” ahead of the 2026 Hajj season.
For now, their story ends not in a courtroom but in grateful prayers and a powerful reminder: sometimes, devotion can be mistaken for danger until truth and diplomacy prevail.