Nigerian Woman Held in Saudi Arabia After Airline Mix-Up Connects Her to Marijuana

A Nigerian pilgrim, Maryam Hussaini-Abdullahi, currently detained in Saudi Arabia, has become embroiled in a confusing case after her name was allegedly linked to a suspicious bag mistakenly tagged by Ethiopian Airlines.

Maryam, who traveled with her husband, Abdullahi Baffa, for the lesser Hajj on August 6, was prevented from returning home after Saudi authorities claimed her details were connected to a “Ghana-must-go” sack containing substances suspected to be marijuana.

Baffa explained that the couple only traveled with two bags, both cleared at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport. However, upon arriving in Jeddah, their luggage was reported missing.

“They asked us to wait 48 hours for feedback after filing a complaint,” Baffa said. “We had no spare clothes, so we bought new ones in Madinah.”

About eight days later, the airline informed them that one bag was available for pickup, but Baffa refused and requested it be sent back to Nigeria instead.

The situation worsened when they tried to board their return flight. While immigration cleared Baffa’s documents, Maryam was stopped and taken to an investigation center in Makkah.

At the center, Saudi officers claimed her name was linked to a suspicious bag. However, the luggage tag number presented did not match the couple’s bags. Despite this, Maryam was placed in detention pending further investigation.

“She told me they showed her a Ghana-must-go sack containing strange items, but she has no connection to it,” Baffa said, accusing Ethiopian Airlines of negligence and a possible cover-up.

Baffa also revealed that airline representatives privately admitted the bag’s contents were “not incriminating” and promised to resolve the issue, yet his wife remains in custody.

The Nigerian Consulate in Madinah has intervened, with officials confirming they are following up with Saudi authorities. Consul General Muazam Nayaya said the mission has received a formal complaint and will forward its findings to Abuja.

Meanwhile, an Ethiopian Airlines staff member told reporters the matter is under investigation, highlighting the difficulty of tracing luggage through multiple transit points.

Baffa has called on the Nigerian government to urgently intervene and demanded the release of CCTV footage from Kano airport to prove his wife’s innocence.

It’s important to note that countries like Libya, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern nations enforce some of the world’s strictest drug laws, with possession often punishable by severe penalties, including the death sentence.