The Federal Government has confirmed that three Nigerian nationals detained in Saudi Arabia since August 2025 have been released, following investigations that cleared them of any wrongdoing. The announcement was made Thursday in a statement shared on the Nigerian Presidency’s X handle.
The individuals identified as Abdulhamid Sadie, Maryam Hussein Abdullahi and Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi were arrested at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah after prohibited substances were found in luggage fraudulently linked to their flight tickets. According to the statement, criminal syndicates at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport attached the bags to the passengers’ tickets without their knowledge.
Once notified of the arrests, Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I J Nayaya, engaged Saudi authorities, alerted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja and sought assistance from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to aid the investigation. The Nigerian Mission maintained close contact with Saudi officials, arranged legal representation and conducted prison visits during the process.
Saudi authorities later determined that the detained Nigerians were not involved in any criminal activity. “Mrs. Maryam Husseini Abdullahi and Mrs. Bahijah Aminu Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on 5th November 2025, while the travel ban on Abdulhamid Sadie was lifted on 2nd November 2025, with arrangements for his return currently underway,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the cooperation of Saudi authorities and highlighted the roles of the NDLEA and the Nigerian Consulate in securing what it called a just resolution. It added that the release underscores Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, consistent with the 4D Doctrine of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
