Connect with us

News

Saudi Frees Three Nigerian Pilgrims Detained Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

Published

on

Saudi Frees Three Nigerian Pilgrims Detained Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

 

Saudi Arabian authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims earlier detained in Jeddah on allegations of drug trafficking, following weeks of intense diplomatic and security interventions by the Federal Government.

 

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

 

He was represented by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

 

Marwa identified the pilgrims as Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, Mrs. Bahijja Abdullahi and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, who regained freedom after spending four weeks in Saudi custody.

 

He explained that the development followed sustained engagement with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia, backed by President Bola Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly abroad.

 

According to him, the interventions enjoyed the active support of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

 

The NDLEA boss revealed that investigations showed a drug syndicate at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, had tagged illicit drug-laden bags with the names of unsuspecting pilgrims on an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah on August 6, 2025.

 

He said the probe, triggered by petitions from the families of the detainees, led to the arrest of the mastermind, 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, along with three accomplices: airline staff identified as Celestina Yayock, Abdulbasit Sagagi and Jazuli Kabir.

 

“Armed with the outcome of our investigation, charges filed against the syndicate members, and other evidence to establish the innocence of the pilgrims, we engaged Saudi authorities at multiple levels,” Marwa said.

 

He disclosed that one of the pilgrims was released on September 14, while the remaining two regained their freedom the following day.

 

Marwa commended the Saudi GDNC for honoring the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with Nigeria, noting that the outcome reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to protecting citizens abroad.

 

“The biggest support for our efforts came from President Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that Nigerians receive their deserved respect and fair treatment across the world. This outcome demonstrates that no Nigerian will be unjustly punished for crimes they did not commit anywhere in the world,” he added.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Features

Diaspora Watch Vol. 95

Published

on

Diaspora Watch Vol. 95

Diaspora Watch Newspaper is pleased to announce the publication of its 95th Edition, offering readers a compelling blend of international affairs, African development, diplomacy, health innovation, security, climate change, and human-interest stories shaping conversations across the globe.

Leading this week’s edition is the inspiring story of Egypt’s teenage sporting sensation, Farida Khalil, under the headline, “Africa’s 14-Year-Old Sets Sights on LA Gold.” The report chronicles the remarkable rise of the young athlete whose extraordinary achievements have positioned her as one of Africa’s brightest prospects ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Diaspora Watch FREE Digital View: https://diasporawatch.com/3d-flip-book/diaspora-watch-vol-95/

On Demand Print: https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3347818?__r=1069759

SUBSCRIBE TO DIASPORA WATCH NOW ON THE LINK BELOW!!!
https://diasporawatch.com/subscribe-to-diaspora-watch-newspaper/

 

Also making the front page is a major international legal development as a tribunal rules in favour of Britain in “Court Clears UK Over Scrapped Rwanda Migrant Pact,” ending a high-profile dispute over the controversial asylum relocation agreement.

The edition further examines unfolding political developments in the Horn of Africa through “Ethiopia Suspends Voting in Conflict-Hit Areas as Abiy Seeks Fresh Mandate,” highlighting the challenges facing Africa’s second-most populous nation amid security concerns and democratic transitions.
address environmental challenges confronting humanity.

In the area of health and technology, readers will find an insightful report on Thailand’s deployment of an AI-assisted system to improve tuberculosis detection, showcasing how innovation is transforming healthcare delivery and disease surveillance.

Security and geopolitical realignments in West Africa are explored in “U.S. Delivers Military Supplies to Niger Amid Shifting Sahel Alliances,” a report that sheds light on evolving international partnerships and strategic interests in a region grappling with persistent security threats.

The growing impact of climate change remains a central concern in this edition, with the United Nations warning of sustained global heat through 2030, reaffirming the urgency of collective action to
From the United States comes a politically charged story as President Donald Trump advances a proposal for a $250 bill bearing his portrait, triggering sharp reactions from political opponents and reigniting debate over leadership, legacy, and symbolism in American politics.

Diplomatic developments also take centre stage with coverage of efforts to deepen cooperation between the Caribbean and Europe in “CARICOM, Italy Strengthen Bilateral Ties as New Envoy Assumes Office.”

On the Back Page, readers will enjoy a lighter but culturally significant feature as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attracts widespread attention with an Arsenal-inspired outfit worn during Eid celebrations, blending sports, identity, and public life in one memorable appearance.

As always, Diaspora Watch Newspaper remains committed to delivering credible journalism, insightful analysis, and stories that connect Africa, its diaspora, and the wider world.

The 95th Edition is now available to readers across our platforms.

Continue Reading

Business

US Threatens New Tariffs on UK, EU, China, 57 Others

Published

on

Trump Requests Postponement Of Sentencing In Hush Money Case Until After Presidential Election

US Threatens New Tariffs on UK, EU, China, 57 Others

 

The United States has announced plans to impose fresh tariffs of between 10 and 12.5 per cent on imports from dozens of countries over concerns that they have failed to do enough to curb the trade in goods produced through forced labour.

 

The move marks the second major tariff initiative by the administration of President Donald Trump since the US Supreme Court struck down a significant portion of his earlier import duties in February.

 

According to the US Trade Department, the proposed tariffs would affect 60 trading partners that collectively account for almost all goods imported into the United States.

 

The department said the measures were aimed at countries that have either failed to prohibit the importation of goods made with forced labour or have not effectively enforced existing restrictions.

 

Announcing the proposal, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the continued trade in goods linked to forced labour created unfair competition for American workers.

 

“It creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field,” Greer stated.

 

The proposed tariffs have yet to take effect, as the Trump administration is expected to complete the necessary legal and regulatory processes before implementation.

 

The action follows an investigation launched in March by Greer into whether major US trading partners had taken adequate measures to prevent the importation of products made wholly or partly through forced labour.

 

Findings from the investigation indicated that 54 countries had “failed to impose a legal prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or in part with forced labour and to effectively enforce such a prohibition.”

 

The report further stated that six trading partners — the European Union, Canada, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan — had failed to effectively enforce existing bans on imports linked to forced labour.

 

Under the proposal, a 10 per cent tariff would be imposed on imports from countries and blocs including the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guatemala, Malaysia and Taiwan.

 

The remaining 45 countries, including China and India, would face higher duties of 12.5 per cent.

 

Reacting to the announcement, the British government maintained that it was taking steps to address forced labour concerns within supply chains, while China rejected allegations that goods produced through forced labour were entering global markets.

 

The European Union, however, described the proposed tariffs as unjustified.

 

An Indian trade analyst characterised the move as a pressure tactic aimed at strengthening Washington’s position in ongoing trade negotiations with New Delhi.

Continue Reading

News

Israeli Airstrikes Hit Beirut, Kill Two Despite Fragile Ceasefire

Published

on

Israeli Airstrikes Hit Beirut, Kill Two Despite Fragile Ceasefire

 

Israel on Sunday launched airstrikes on southern Beirut, marking the first attack on the Lebanese capital since a ceasefire brokered by the United States last week, as tensions between Israel, Hezbollah and Iran continued to escalate.

 

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said two people were killed and at least 20 others injured, including women and children, after Israeli warplanes struck two apartment buildings in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahieh, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

 

The strikes came amid renewed hostilities following a wave of missile attacks launched by Iran against Israel on Sunday night, which Tehran said was retaliation for increasing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and the outskirts of Beirut.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the attacks, saying the targets were Hezbollah facilities operating within the Lebanese capital.

 

“We struck terrorist headquarters in the Dahieh district of Beirut in response to Hezbollah’s firing at Israeli territory,” Netanyahu said.

 

The latest bombardment shattered the lower floors of a residential building, leaving apartments exposed and scattering debris, concrete and twisted metal across nearby streets.

 

Videos circulating on social media showed residents and emergency responders rushing to the scene to rescue victims trapped beneath the rubble.

 

Health officials in Lebanon confirmed that four women and four children were among those injured in the attack.

 

An Arabic-language statement issued by an Israeli military spokesman on X indicated that the operation could continue, describing the targeted sites as Hezbollah military infrastructure.

 

“To be continued,” the spokesman wrote.

 

The Israeli military also announced that it intercepted two projectiles fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory earlier on Sunday.

 

Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for rocket attacks targeting Israeli artillery positions at Yiftah Barracks and troops stationed near al-Marj Pond.

 

The group said the attacks were carried out in response to what it described as repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire and continued assaults on villages in southern Lebanon.

 

Reacting to the Beirut strikes, Iranian lawmaker and foreign policy committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaie warned that Israel would face consequences.

 

He said Iran would deliver a “decisive and painful response” to the attack.

 

The renewed violence threatens a fragile truce reached on June 3 after intense diplomatic efforts led by Washington and supported by Qatar.

 

Prior to the ceasefire, Israel had threatened a major offensive in Dahieh, prompting thousands of residents to flee the area and triggering urgent diplomatic interventions aimed at preventing a wider regional conflict.

 

United States President Donald Trump had previously announced that there would be “no troops going to Beirut” following discussions with Netanyahu, while Washington reportedly urged Israel to exercise restraint.

Continue Reading

Trending