The Federal Government has secured the release of three Nigerian women, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, arrested for alleged drug trafficking on the 5th of March 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport Madinah, Saudi Arabia after spending 10 months in detention.
This was contained in a statement signed by the acting Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA.
According to the statement, the arrest of the three women was as 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.
“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,” the statement said.
The statement added that the successful release was achieved after a 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 concluded.
