Three Nigerian women, who were arrested and prosecuted for alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, have been acquitted and released.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed their release on Sunday, attributing it to “prolonged diplomatic and legal engagements” between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities.
The women—Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi—were detained for allegedly possessing a substance believed to be cocaine while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Ebienfa explained that the women were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. They spent 10 months in detention before their release.
Their arrest followed the earlier detention of two Nigerian nationals who were found with large quantities of cocaine: 80 capsules weighing 900.28 grams and 70 capsules weighing 789.5 grams, respectively. The women were suspected of involvement in the trafficking of the drugs.
The case drew considerable attention in both Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Following extensive diplomatic and legal efforts, the women were acquitted and released. They were handed over to the Nigerian Consulate-General in Jeddah, where Ambassador Muazam Nayaya received them. He is currently overseeing the immigration process for their return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.
