Three Nigerian women, Hadiza Abba, Fatima Umate Malah, and Fatima Kannai Gamboi, who were arrested for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, have been discharged and acquitted after spending 10 months in detention.
The women were initially arrested on March 5, 2024, at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, following the arrest of two other Nigerians found with large quantities of cocaine. The women were suspected of being accomplices in the trafficking operation.
In a statement, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Acting Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed the women’s release after extensive diplomatic and legal efforts. Their acquittal was followed by their handover to the Nigerian Consulate-General in Jeddah.
The trio, now awaiting immigration processing, will soon return to Nigeria to reunite with their families.