Saudi Arabia frees three Nigerian women after 10 months in detention over drug charges

Three Nigerian women arrested in Saudi Arabia on drug-related allegations have been released after 10 months in detention, following sustained diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government.

The Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed their release in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja. The women—Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi—were initially arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. They were accused of being involved in the trafficking of banned substances while on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Ebienfa explained that their arrest was connected to the earlier detention of two Nigerian nationals who were found with cocaine at the airport.

“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 grams and 70 capsules of cocaine weighing 789.5 grams, respectively,” the statement read.

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“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 case attracted significant attention both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, with diplomatic and legal channels extensively engaged to ensure justice was served.

“The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria,” Ebienfa added. “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 Jeddah.”

The women were officially handed over to the Nigerian Consulate-General in Jeddah and received by Ambassador Muazam. The Ministry expressed gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their cooperation and reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of Nigerians abroad.

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