Alleged Drug Trafficking: Zainab Aliyu Regains Freedom from Saudi’s Detention

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, April 30th, 2019

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Government has reportedly secured the release of detained young Nigerian female undergraduate in Saudi Arabia, Zainab Aliyu.

Miss Aliyu has been held by the Saudi authority over alleged drug trafficking.

Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on the New Media, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed this on his verified Twitter handle.

Tweeting via @BashirAhmaad, the President’s aide posted that Zainab has regained her freedom and promised to give details.

The Senior Special Assistant to Mr. President on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Monday confirmed that President Buhari had directed the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, to immediately intervene in her case.

The detained is a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, was arrested after a banned drug – Tramadol, was found in her bag. She however claimed it was planted in her luggage by some unknown persons.

She 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.

Reports said it was later discovered that she was a victim of a cartel that specialised in keeping hard drugs in travelers’ bags, some of whom were already in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.