Three Nigerian women arrested and prosecuted for alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been acquitted and released after spending 10 months in detention.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development on Sunday, highlighting the critical role of diplomatic engagements in securing their freedom.
The women—Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi—were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah.
Their detention stemmed from allegations of aiding and abetting drug trafficking after two Nigerians were found with cocaine capsules weighing 1.69 kilograms.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The Ministry wishes to inform that three Nigerian nationals…arrested and prosecuted for drug trafficking…have been released after spending 10 months in detention.”
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The release followed prolonged diplomatic and legal efforts.
The Ministry emphasized that the case attracted significant attention in both Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, and the women’s discharge and acquittal are attributed to these sustained efforts.
The women have been handed over to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jeddah.
Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Jeddah, received them and confirmed that they are undergoing immigration processes before their return to Nigeria.
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