By Nkechi Eze
Relief has come to three Nigerians who were detained in Saudi Arabia on allegations of drug trafficking, as they regained their freedom after being cleared of any wrongdoing. The Nigerians, identified as Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mr. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, had spent four weeks in custody before being discharged and declared innocent.
In an official statement signed by Gabriel Odu of the Media and Public Relations Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, whose collaboration ensured the resolution of the case.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa expressed profound relief at the outcome, describing it as another demonstration of the Nigerian Government’s commitment to protecting its citizens under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “This is yet another testament to the fact that the administration will not relent in ensuring that no Nigerian anywhere in the world suffers punishment for a crime they did not commit,” she said.
She reminded Nigerians abroad of the importance of respecting the laws of their host countries, while also recalling similar instances in which Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Ibrahim were exonerated in Saudi Arabia after being wrongfully accused of drug-related offences. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that the Nigerian Government will continue to stand firm in defending the rights and dignity of its nationals overseas.
The NiDCOM boss also echoed repeated warnings by the NDLEA to travelers to always double-check their luggage and baggage tags before checking in, in order to avoid becoming victims of drug syndicates who plant contraband on unsuspecting passengers.
In concluding, she extended appreciation to the Saudi authorities for their cooperation and fairness in reviewing the case, which ultimately led to the freedom of the three Nigerians.
