Saudi Authorities Detain Nigerian Woman Over Alleged Luggage Mismatch Containing Marijuana
A Nigerian woman, Maryam Hussaini-Abdullahi, has been detained by Saudi authorities after a bag containing marijuana was allegedly linked to her luggage. The incident occurred during a lesser Hajj pilgrimage trip she undertook with her husband, Abdullahi Baffa. According to Mr Baffa, the bag in question was a “Ghana must go” sack that was mismatched with his wife’s luggage by Ethiopian Airlines.
The couple departed Nigeria on August 6, with each carrying only one bag, which were cleared at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport before their departure. However, upon arrival in Jiddah, they discovered that their luggage was missing, prompting Mr Baffa to report the issue to the airline. They subsequently proceeded to Madinah, where they purchased new essentials and awaited the resolution of the missing luggage issue.
Eight days later, Mr Baffa received a call that one of the bags was ready for collection in Jeddah, which he declined, requesting that it be sent back to Nigeria. However, upon returning to Madinah for their return flight, he was informed that his wife had been restricted from traveling due to her alleged connection to the suspicious bag.
Mr Baffa claimed that security operatives compared his wife’s luggage tags with the impounded bag but found no match. Despite this, the authorities insisted on detaining her pending further investigations. He also alleged that the airline was attempting to cover up the incident, citing their appeal to him not to escalate the matter.
Speaking to Daily Nigerian, Mr Baffa expressed his concern over his wife’s detention, stating that the items found in the bag were totally strange to them and that she had no connection to the bag or its content. He appealed to the Nigerian government to intervene and secure his wife’s release.
Ethiopian Airlines has launched an investigation into the matter, with a source from the airline promising to revert to our correspondent once the investigation is complete. The Nigerian Consulate in Jiddah has also been informed of the incident and is reportedly conducting an investigation.
This incident bears resemblance to a similar case in 2018, where a Nigerian student, Zainab Aliyu Kila, was detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking. Investigations later revealed that a criminal gang had added the contentious bag to her name without her knowledge.
The detention of Maryam Hussaini-Abdullahi highlights concerns about airport security and luggage handling procedures, particularly in cases involving airline errors or malicious acts. The outcome of the ongoing investigations is eagerly awaited, with many calling for swift action to resolve the matter and ensure the safe release of the detained woman.
