NIDCOM cautions Nigerians Abroad, commends release of three in Saudi Arabia

Dabiri-Erewa hails NDLEA, NSA, foreign ministry for swift intervention

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has cautioned Nigerians abroad to always respect the laws of their host countries, even as it announced the release of three citizens recently detained in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement signed on Thursday by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed the discharge of Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mr Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr Abdulhamid Saddieq, who were held for four weeks before being cleared of wrongdoing.

She applauded the coordinated efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, describing the outcome as evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to safeguard Nigerians abroad from unjust treatment.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, the case echoes previous incidents involving Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Ibrahim, who were also freed in Saudi Arabia after facing wrongful drug-related accusations.

While assuring that government will always defend innocent Nigerians, she warned citizens to avoid unnecessary problems by obeying host laws and exercising caution when travelling.

She specifically urged travellers to heed NDLEA’s guidance by thoroughly checking their luggage tags before boarding flights. Dabiri-Erewa also expressed appreciation to Saudi authorities for their cooperation in resolving the matter.