The Federal Government says three Nigerians earlier arrested in Saudi Arabia on drug trafficking allegations have been released after investigators confirmed they had no link to the crime.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, announced their release in a statement on Wednesday. The ministry said the detainees — Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Hussein Abdullahi and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi — were freed after Saudi authorities completed their probe.
According to the statement, the three were arrested in August 2025 at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah after prohibited substances were found in bags that criminal groups had fraudulently tied to their travel documents at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The ministry said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Consulate General of Nigeria in Jeddah, has secured the release and full lifting of the travel ban on three Nigerian nationals; Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Hussein Abdullahi, and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi, who were arrested in August 2025 at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.”
It explained that once the arrests became known, the Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, contacted Saudi officials and alerted Abuja. The statement added, “Amb. Muazam Nayaya immediately engaged Saudi authorities and reported the matter to headquarters in Abuja, while also requesting the intervention of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to support investigations.”
The mission said it stayed in contact with Saudi authorities, visited the detainees in prison and arranged legal support for them throughout the case.
Saudi investigators later cleared the three Nigerians of any wrongdoing and released them on September 14 and 15, 2025. A travel ban placed on them during the review has now been lifted.
The ministry said Maryam Abdullahi and Bahijah Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on November 5, while Sadieq’s restriction was removed on December 2. It said arrangements for his return are being concluded.
The government praised the cooperation of Saudi officials, saying they acted professionally throughout the process. It also noted the important roles played by the NDLEA and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah in ensuring the case was resolved.
The ministry said the development reflects Nigeria’s continued commitment to protecting its citizens abroad under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4D Doctrine.
