Kano Student Wrongfully Arrested in Saudi Arabia for Drug Trafficking Completes NYSC
INFOMEDIA – Zainab Aliyu, a Kano state student who was detained in Saudi Arabia for months after drugs were planted in her luggage, has completed her one year mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme.
This was revealed on Thursday by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), who shared a photo of an elated Ms Zainab clutching her NYSC certificate in broad smiles.
INFOMEDIA recalls that Ms Zainab, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, who travelled for Lesser Hajj in Dec. 2018 was detained by the Saudi Arabian authorities for allegedly being in possession of a banned substance, Tramadol.
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Ms Zainab, had travelled from Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in company of her mother, Mrs Maryam Aliyu, and sister Hajara Aliyu.
However, following an investigation, the NDLEA discovered that a drug syndicate operating at MAKIA, inserted the drugs into the student’s bag, which was later intercepted in Saudi Arabia.
In April, 2019, the student was released by the Saudi authorities after the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari while the NDLEA arrested six suspects and charged them to court for the alleged offense.
The suspects who were identified as Idris Umar (alias Umar Sanda), Sanni Suleiman, Nuhu Adamu, Rhoda Adetunji, Udosen Itoro Henry and Sani Hamisu, were arraigned before Justice Lewis Allegoa of the Federal High Court, Kano.
According to the drug agency, the accused are facing 3-count charges bordering on conspiracy, export of illicit drugs and trafficking of unwanted substance to Saudi Arabia, contrary to the provision of NDLEA and punishable under section 14(b), Section 11(b) and Section 20(g) 2014 Act.
