The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed on Sunday that three Nigerian nationals, arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, have been discharged and acquitted.
The women, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, were detained following their arrest on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.
According to the Ministry, their release was the result of extensive diplomatic and legal efforts, which ultimately led to their acquittal.
They were handed over to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jeddah following the successful conclusion of the legal proceedings.
The statement, issued by Acting Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, explained that the arrest of the three women stemmed from the earlier detention of two other Nigerians found in possession of large quantities of cocaine—80 capsules weighing 900.28 grams and 70 capsules weighing 789.5 grams, respectively. The women were initially held on suspicion of being involved in the trafficking operation.
The Ministry also noted that the case attracted significant attention both in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. After spending ten months in detention, the women were acquitted following a prolonged legal process. They were received in Jeddah by Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Consul-General of Nigeria, and are currently awaiting the completion of immigration procedures for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.
The statement reads in parts; “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 the 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.”
