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The Federal Government says three Nigerians earlier detained in Saudi Arabia have been released after authorities in the Kingdom cleared them of any wrongdoing.
The announcement was shared on Thursday through the Nigerian Presidency’s X account.
The individuals freed are identified as Abdulhamid Sadie, Maryam Hussein Abdullahi, and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi.
They were arrested in August 2025 at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah after banned substances were found in luggage allegedly tagged to their tickets by criminal groups operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, without their knowledge.
Once the incident came to light, Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I. J. Nayaya, engaged Saudi officials, notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, and sought assistance from the NDLEA to aid investigations.
The Nigerian Mission also kept close communication with Saudi authorities, visited the detainees, and secured legal support for them.
After a detailed investigation, Saudi authorities confirmed that the three Nigerians were not involved in the crime.
Maryam Husseini Abdullahi and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on November 5, 2025, while the travel restriction on Abdulhamid Sadie was lifted on November 2, with his return being processed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the cooperation received from Saudi authorities and acknowledged the key roles played by the NDLEA and the Nigerian Consulate in achieving a fair resolution.
It added that the development reflects Nigeria’s continued commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4D foreign policy doctrine.
