KEY POINTS
- Nigerians released in Saudi Arabia after wrongful detention.
- Criminal syndicates fraudulently attached illegal items to tickets.
- Nigerian authorities ensured legal support with further repatriation for citizens.
The Federal Government praised Saudi Arabia for releasing three Nigerians wrongfully detained in Jeddah over luggage linked to criminal activity. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed the release in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Authorities arrested the three Nigerians, Abdulhamid Sadieq and sisters Maryam and Bahijah Abdullahi at King Abdulaziz International Airport in August 2025. Tuggar explained that criminal syndicates had fraudulently attached prohibited substances to their air tickets at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, without the passengers’ knowledge.
NDLEA supported the investigation
Upon notification, the Nigerian Consul-General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, immediately engaged Saudi authorities and updated the Ministry in Abuja. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency supported the investigation. While the mission maintained regular contact with the authorities, conducted prison visits, and provided legal representation for the detainees.
After thorough investigations, the Saudi authorities cleared the Nigerians of all wrongdoing and released them on September 14 and 15, 2025. A temporary travel restriction placed on the detainees was also fully lifted. Maryam and Bahijah Abdullahi went back to Nigeria on November 5, 2025. Abdulhamid Sadieq’s travel prohibition ended on December 2, 2025. Therefore people are currently making arrangements for him to come back home.
Nigerians released in Saudi Arabia reflect strong diplomatic ties
Furthermore, the minister praised the Saudi government’s professionalism and highlighted the key roles the NDLEA and Jeddah Consulate played in ensuring justice.
He said that the successful release shows that Nigeria is serious about protecting its citizens overseas and giving them proactive consular services, which is in keeping with President Bola Tinubu’s 4D Doctrine.
The news also shows how important it is for countries to work together to keep criminals from taking advantage of tourists. This shows that Nigeria is still working to preserve the rights of its citizens who live outside the country and make sure that justice is done.
