Three Nigerians arrested for drug Trafficking In Saudi Arabia released After Ten Months In Detention-Says MFA
Abuja (Core Reporters) Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that three Nigerians who were arrested at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia and prosecuted for drug trafficking have been released.
A statement by the acting spokesperson, of the ministry, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa on Sunday said the three Nigerian nationals; Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah and Fatima Kannai Gamboi were discharged and acquitted of the offenses they were accused of at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after spending ten months in detention.
The statement reads, “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, has been 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 on suspicion of being accomplices and abating the trafficking of the banned substance found on the 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, as well as subsequent handover to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jedda. The ladies were received by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Honourable Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah and currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families,” the statement said.
