Monday, January 6, 2025 - The Saudi Arabian government has released three Nigerian women who were arrested for possession of cocaine.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the spokesman of
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Sunday in Abuja.
Ebienfa said the release of the women followed high-level diplomatic
engagements between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities.
He listed the released Nigerian women as Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah and
Fatima Gamboi. They were arrested for alleged possession of substance suspected
to be cocaine while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerians were apprehended on March 5, 2024 at Prince Mohammad bin
Abdul Azeez International Airport, 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 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 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 Amb. Muazam Nayaya, Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, and currently awaiting relevant immigration processes for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families,” the statement said.
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