FG Secures Release Of 3 Nigerians Arrested In Saudi Arabia For Drug Trafficking

The Federal Government has secured the release of three Nigerian women who were arrested, prosecuted and jailed in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking.

Naijaonpoint reports that the three women, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah and Fatima Gamboi, were in detention for 10 months.

The three women were arrested on 5th March 2024 as a result of the arrest of two Nigerian nationals arrested in possession of 80 capsules of Cocaine weighing 900.28gm and 70 capsules of Cocaine weighing 789.5gm.

In a statement on Sunday by the Ministry’s Acting Spokesperson, Imomotimi Ebina; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maitama Tuggar, said the release was achieved after prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements.

It read, “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 5th March 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport, Madinah, Saudi Arabia, were released after spending 10 months in 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 gm and 70 capsules of Cocaine weighing 789.5gm, respectively. The ‘women were detained by the Saudi authorities and accused of comy and abetting the trafficking of the banned substance found on the earlier aforementioned arrested Nigerians.

“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, which culminated in their discharge and acquittal and subsequent handing over to the Consulate-General of Nigeria, in Joddah.”

Tuggar added the ladies were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, and “are currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families”.