Saudi Arabia has released three Nigerian women who were earlier arrested and prosecuted in the country.
The acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, January 5, 2025, said the release followed high-level diplomatic engagement between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities.
The three Nigerians, namely Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah and Fatima Gamboi, were arrested for alleged possession of a substance suspected to be cocaine while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
According to the statement, they were arrested and prosecuted on 5 March 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and 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 statement read.
“The Ministry wishes to recall that the trio’s arrest attracted much attention in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria
“The ladies were received by Amb. Muazam Nayaya, Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, is currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.”