Drug trafficking: S’Arabia frees 3 Nigerian women after 10 months in prison

Three Nigerian women who were arrested and prosecuted in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking have been released after 10 months in detention.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed their release in a statement issued in Abuja, crediting it to high-level diplomatic efforts between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities.

The women — Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi — were detained on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. They were accused of complicity in trafficking substances suspected to be cocaine.

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The arrest stemmed from the earlier detention of two Nigerians found in possession of 150 capsules of cocaine, weighing nearly 1.7 kilograms in total.

The Ministry’s Acting Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, explained that prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements led to their discharge and acquittal. The women were handed over to the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah and are now awaiting immigration clearance to return home.

“Their release highlights the successful outcome of Nigeria’s diplomatic intervention,” Ebienfa stated.

The trio’s case attracted significant attention in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, underscoring the plight of citizens detained abroad.

Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Jeddah, received the women and assured them of a swift return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.

The Ministry urged Nigerians to remain cautious during international travel to avoid similar incidents.

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