FG Announces Zainab Aliyu Is Freed Of Alleged Drugs Trafficking In Saudi Arabia

Zainab Habibu Aliyu, the Nigerian student who was detained in Saudi Arabia on suspicion of drug trafficking has regained her freedom.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, announced this in a tweet on Tuesday.

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.”

The release is coming few hours after Buhari had on Monday directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, to intervene in the case of a Nigerian student detained by Saudi Arabia.

Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, had said “President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive immediately the matter was brought to his attention about two weeks ago. My office has been working with the AGF as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that regard.”

Zainab, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, was arrested after a banned drug, Tramadol, was found in her bag.

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She claimed it was planted in her luggage by unknown persons.

The student had travelled from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in company with her mother, Mrs. Maryam Aliyu, and sister, Hajara Aliyu, but she was arrested over allegations that a bag bearing her name tag contained the unlawful substance.