Adebayo Adenrele
The Saudi Arabian government has released three Nigerian women arrested for cocaine trafficking.
This was announced on Sunday by the Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfaz
Ebienfa explained that the women’s release followed high-level diplomatic discussions between the Nigerian government and Saudi authorities.
He identified the released women as Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah, and Fatima Gamboi.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that they were arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, while allegedly in possession of a substance suspected to be cocaine.
The Saudi Arabia government has now released them after spending 10 months in detention.
The statement reads; “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 who were received by Amb Muazam Nayaya, Consul-General of Nigeria in Jeddah, are currently awaiting relevant immigration processes to return to Nigeria to reunite with their families”.