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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