The Saudi authorities has freed three Nigerian women who were arrested on cocaine offences.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the news on Sunday in Abuja.
Ebienfa stated that the women’s release was the result of high-level diplomatic discussions between the Nigerian and Saudi governments.
He identified the released Nigerian ladies as Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi. They were arrested while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia for allegedly possessing a substance suspected of being cocaine.
The Nigerians were captured on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and freed after ten months in custody.
“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.
