In a welcome turn of events, three Nigerian women – Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi – have been discharged and acquitted of drug trafficking charges in Saudi Arabia, after spending 10 months in detention.
The women were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, following the arrest of two Nigerians found with 1.69 kilograms of cocaine capsules. They were held on suspicion of aiding and abetting narcotics trafficking.
According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the women’s release was made possible by extensive diplomatic and legal efforts. The Ministry confirmed that the women were handed over to the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah after their acquittal and are currently undergoing immigration processes to return to Nigeria and reunite with their families.
Ambassador Muazam Nayaya, the Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, received the women, marking a successful end to a case that drew attention in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
