BREAKING: BUHARI SECURES THE RELEASE OF ZAINAB ALIYU WHO WAS ARRESTED IN SAUDI FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

April 30, 2019

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Joseph Omoniyi

Nigerian student, Zainab Aliyu who was arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking has been released.

This was made known by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The federal government was said to have succeeded in establishing the innocence of Zainab and the second Nigerian involved in the case, Ibrahim Abubakar will be released tomorrow to the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia.

President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the attorney-General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to intervene in the case.

Following the President’s directive, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured Nigerians that they were making good progress and she will be back, along with 2 others in the same situation.

Zainab, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, was arrested after a banned drug, tramadol, was found in her bag. She claimed it was planted in her luggage by unknown persons.

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