The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its silent diplomatic efforts over the past few weeks culminated in the release of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar, arrested for a drug-related offense by the Saudi authorities.
The Minister has said that in his speech in Abuja on Thursday by his acting Speaker, Friday Akpan
“Zainab Aliyu was arrested on the 26th December 2018 by Saudi safety officers at a hotel in Madinah, a Nigerian student who traveled for Lesser Hajj with her mother.
“She has been accused of having a bag of illegal drugs supposedly marked with her name.
“Another passenger, Abubakar Ibrahim, who had no connection to Zainab, who was also on the same aircraft, was also arrested the same day,” he said.
Zainab Aliyu was released on 30 April, while Ibrahim Abubakar was released on 1 May.
It also emphasized that the speech by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure their release facilitated the final and speedy resolution of the matter.
The Ministry explained its efforts to release the two Nigerians, but stated that the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah intervened upon receipt of information on their arrest.
It stated that Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar’s innocence was then requested by the Nigerian Mission in Saudi to conduct a full investigation.
“Investigations by the Airport Authorities and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano found a drug cartel at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, specializing in planting illegal drugs on innocent travelers without their knowledge.
“It was also discovered that without her knowledge, the cartel planted the bag tagged in the name of Zainab.
“The Federal Government is currently prosecuting the suspects at the Federal High Court, Kano, following the arrest of cartel members.
“The result of the suspects ‘ investigation and subsequent trial confirmed the two Nigerians ‘ innocence.
“The Consulate General of Nigeria in Jeddah therefore sent a series of Diplomatic Notes to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, on instruction from the Headquarters, informing the Saudi Foreign Ministry of the arrest of members of the syndicate in Kano and forwarding the NDLEA investigation and court report.”
It stated that investigation papers were sent to the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah in order to further support the innocence of the two Nigerians and also to resolve the issue of luggage tag numbers.
After these efforts, officials in the Consulate secured an appointment and met with the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s Director General, Jeddah, this is according to the ministry.
It said the DG then asked the consulate official to forward the NDLEA report to all Saudi agencies concerned in order to release Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar.
“All these processes followed corresponded to the usual diplomatic engagement channel.”
“To maintain diplomatic pressure, our Embassy in Riyadh sent another note to the Saudi Authorities conveying the same message.”
“A note was also sent to both the Saudi Embassy in Abuja and its Consulate in Kano on April 26, transmitting court documents related to the Kano syndicate members ‘ trial,” he said.
It added that the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s legal adviser confirmed that the relevant Saudi Arabia agencies and departments would meet to consider all the verbal notes and reports submitted by Nigeria.
This, he said, was intended to facilitate early resolution of the Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar case.
The ministry added that Nigeria’s judicial and legal process also provided the critical documentation that helped diplomatic efforts to establish Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar’s innocence.
It stated that the Nigerian Consulate General in Jeddah is currently processing travel documents for both individuals in order to facilitate their return to Nigeria.
The ministry commended the Saudi government for cooperating with Nigeria in the eventual resolution of the matter through its embassy in Abuja and Saudi Foreign Ministry officials.