Three Nigerian women, who were arrested and prosecuted in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug possession, have been released after spending 10 months in detention.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that the release followed sustained diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government.
The women—Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi—were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah while on pilgrimage. They were accused of being in possession of substances suspected to be cocaine.
According to the statement, their arrest stemmed from the earlier apprehension of two Nigerian nationals found with 80 capsules of cocaine weighing 900.28 grams and 70 capsules weighing 789.5 grams. The three women were detained on suspicion of complicity in the trafficking of the banned substances.
“The arrest of the trio attracted significant attention in both Saudi Arabia and Nigeria,” the statement noted. “Their eventual release was the result of prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements, leading to their discharge, acquittal, and subsequent handover to the Nigerian Consulate-General in Jeddah.”
The women were received by Ambassador Muazam in Jeddah, marking the conclusion of the case and their return to freedom.
