Saudi authorities free Kano woman, two others detained over luggage mix-up

Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims wrongfully detained in Makkah after marijuana-filled bags were falsely linked to their names at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

The freed pilgrims are Maryam Abdullahi Hussaini, Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq.

Their release on Monday followed the intervention of the Nigerian government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah.

Confirming the development, Maryam’s husband, Abdullahi Hussaini, said she had reunited with the family after completing final documentation.

“Yes, it’s true. I’m with her today, as you can hear her voice,” he told reporters.

Maryam, who traveled with her husband on August 6 for a lesser Hajj, was detained after a “Ghana-must-go” bag containing drugs was falsely tagged to her name. Expressing her relief, she said: “I’m grateful to Allah for my release and to everyone for their efforts and prayers.”

The NDLEA had earlier cleared the pilgrims of wrongdoing, revealing that a criminal syndicate operating at MAKIA was behind the luggage swap.

According to the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a 55-year-old drug baron, Mohammed Ali Abubakar (alias Bello Karama), and five accomplices were arrested for planting the illicit bags.

Investigations showed the syndicate, in collusion with staff of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), illegally checked in the drug-laden bags under the names of the three pilgrims without their knowledge.

The NDLEA confirmed that all evidence pointed to the arrested syndicate, stressing that the detained Nigerians were victims of circumstance and had no connection to drug trafficking.