Saudi Arabia Acquits 3 Nigerian Women of Drug Charges

3 Nigerian women have been released by Saudi Arabia following charges of drug trafficking levelled against them.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, made this known in a statement released in Abuja on Sunday.

The women had already spent 10months in detention, Neusroom gather.

The identities of the women are: Hadiza Abba, Fatima Malah and Fatima Gamboi.

They were arrested on alleged possession of cocaine while on holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The women were arrested and prosecuted on March 5,  2024 at the country’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Azeez International Airport, Madinah.

Neusroom learn that it took the Nigerian government an extensive deal of diplomatic talks with their Saudi Arabian counterparts before the women were released.

“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,” the statement by the Ministry read.