News
Over Alleged Drug Trafficking, Nigerian Pilgrims Freed After Month-Long Detention In Saudi Arabia
Three Nigerian pilgrims accused of alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been released. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced this at a press conference on Wednesday (today).
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that their release followed an engagement between the NDLEA and the Saudi government.
He said the three pilgrims would soon arrive in the country.
“Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking.
“The three Nigerians who were freed from detention after four weeks in custody include Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr Abdulhamid Saddieq,” said the spokesman.
Babafemi, however, advised air passengers to always ensure the appropriate tagging of their luggage before departure to avoid being implicated by drug dealers.
Drug Kingpin, Five Others Arrested
In August, the NDLEA arrested a suspected drug kingpin and five members of his syndicate, accused of planting narcotics on innocent pilgrims travelling through the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), leading to the detention of three Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.
It said the syndicate, led by a 55-year-old man it identified as Mohammed Abubakar alias Bello Karama, was responsible for smuggling illicit substances aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on August 6 for Jeddah via Addis Ababa.
Those implicated by the syndicate included a 39-year-old mother of five, Maryam Hussaini; Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq, all of whom are still being held by Saudi authorities on the allegation of drug trafficking.
NDLEA’s spokesperson said investigations revealed that the three pilgrims each checked in only one personal bag.
Babafemi said that members of the syndicate — in collusion with Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) staff — tagged six additional bags in the passengers’ names, three of which contained drugs.
“The bags containing narcotics were secretly tagged against the complainants’ names without their knowledge or consent,” he told reporters in Abuja.
He said that Karama travelled separately on Egypt Air, while his accomplices checked in the drug-laden luggage on Ethiopian Airlines.
Other suspects identified by the spokesman were Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan, Celestina Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir, who he said had confessed to their roles, with evidence of payments traced to them.
Babafemi had also disclosed that the NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), would meet officials of Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an upcoming international drug conference to present Nigeria’s findings and push for the release of the detainees.
“Armed with the outcome of the NDLEA investigation and charges filed against members of the syndicate, as well as other evidence to prove the innocence of the three Nigerian pilgrims, Marwa engaged with his Saudi counterpart at multiple levels and different locations, including Saudi Arabia, in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda that no Nigerian suffers unjustly in a foreign land.
“Following the series of engagements, one of the three Nigerians was released from custody on September 14, and the remaining two on September 15, 2025,” Babafemi disclosed.
Expressing happiness over the development, Marwa commended his counterpart at the Saudi GDNC for upholding the essence of the Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and GDNC on collaboration and partnership.
“The biggest support of our effort on this case came from President Tinubu who is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian gets their deserved respect and fair treatment wherever they are across the world.
“And that is what has come to play in this case, that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about anywhere in the world.
“We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who were with us all the way on the matter,” Marwa was quoted as saying.
The arrest and detention of the pilgrims had sparked fresh concerns over airport security and baggage handling in Nigeria, with authorities promising tighter checks at the Kano airport to prevent similar incidents.
Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.
This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.
The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.
The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.
Pastor Tunde Bakare
Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.
While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).
On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.
Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.
An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.
Manchester United are ready to spend in the region of £150million to sign three central midfielders this summer if there is enough room in the transfer budget.
Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.
United know their No 1 target Elliot Anderson is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest star.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are other names in the frame, although United’s interest in Tonali has cooled slightly and Tchouameni wants to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.
United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams would also fall into that category.
Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.
However, it will depend on how much money is available with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.
The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, which is worth in excess of £100m.
United also hope to bank significant transfer fees for Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte and, possibly, Joshua Zirkzee while creating additional space on the wage bill by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
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