The Federal Government has commended Saudi Arabia for releasing three Nigerians—Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Abdullahi, and Bahijah Abdullahi—detained in Jeddah over luggage linked to criminal syndicates. According to Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, prohibited substances were fraudulently attached to their air tickets without their knowledge, and Nigeria’s consulate in Jeddah, along with the NDLEA, actively supported investigations and provided legal assistance.
Tuggar said, “Upon notification, the Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, Amb. Muazam Nayaya, immediately engaged Saudi authorities and informed Headquarters in Abuja. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was also requested to support the investigations.” The detainees were cleared of wrongdoing and released in September, with travel restrictions lifted by December, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad under President Tinubu’s 4D Doctrine.