Nigerian student arrested for alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia released after Buhari intervenes

A Nigerian student known as Zainab Aliyu, who arrested for alleged drug trafficking has been released to the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia, shortly after President Buhari intervened by directing Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately take up her case.

Zainab, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, had travelled from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in company with her mother, Mrs Maryam Aliyu, and sister, Hajara Aliyu.

She was later arrested over allegations that a luggage, bearing her name tag, contained the unlawful substance. She was accused of entering Saudi Arabia with an illegal dosage of Tramadol but was later discovered to be a victim of a cartel that specialises in keeping hard drugs in travellers’ bags, some of whom are already in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

However an update on the case yesterday, revealed that Zainab Aliyu has been released to Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia.

According to TVC, there was a high-level diplomatic moves to get her freed, after it was discovered she was the victim of a drug cartel that specialised in planting hard drugs in travelers’ bags.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs made the announcement in abuja. New media aide to the President, Bashir Ahmad, also confirmed Zainab’s release in a post on twitter. 

He wrote;

The Federal Government has secured the release of Zainab Habibu Aliyu who was arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking. Details soon from Ministry of Foreign Affairs. #FreeZainab

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