Three Nigerian pilgrims detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking have been released, following high-level intervention by the Federal Government.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the development at a press briefing on Wednesday. Its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that the release was secured after sustained engagement between the agency and Saudi authorities.

He confirmed that the freed pilgrims – Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr.NDLEA Abdulhamid Saddieq – are expected back in Nigeria soon.

Babafemi cautioned air travellers to always ensure their luggage is correctly tagged to avoid falling victim to drug syndicates who plant narcotics on unsuspecting passengers.

The case dates back to August, when the NDLEA arrested a suspected drug kingpin, Mohammed Abubakar, alias Bello Karama (55), and five accomplices accused of smuggling narcotics through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The syndicate was alleged to have planted drugs on innocent pilgrims travelling on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which left Kano for Jeddah via Addis Ababa on 6 August.

According to NDLEA investigations, each of the three pilgrims checked in only one personal bag. However, members of the syndicate – working in collusion with staff of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) – tagged six extra bags in the passengers’ names, three of which contained narcotics.

“The bags containing drugs were secretly tagged against the complainants’ names without their knowledge or consent,” Babafemi told journalists in Abuja. He added that while Karama travelled separately on Egypt Air, his accomplices checked in the drug-laden luggage on Ethiopian Airlines.

Other suspects arrested include Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan, Celestina Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir, all of whom reportedly confessed their roles, with payment trails traced to them.

Babafemi revealed that NDLEA Chairman, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), presented Nigeria’s findings to Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an international drug conference. “Armed with our investigation and evidence proving the pilgrims’ innocence, Marwa engaged his Saudi counterpart at multiple levels, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly abroad,” he said.

Following these engagements, one pilgrim was released on 14 September, with the other two freed the next day.

Marwa expressed gratitude to the Saudi authorities for respecting the Memorandum of Understanding between the NDLEA and GDNC, and commended President Tinubu for backing the intervention.

“The strongest support came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring Nigerians are treated with dignity and fairness abroad. This case reflects that commitment,” Marwa said.

He also acknowledged the roles of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in securing the release.

The pilgrims’ ordeal has reignited concerns over airport security and baggage handling in Nigeria. Authorities have pledged stricter checks at Kano airport to prevent a recurrence.