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The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Senator Aniekan Bassey, has hailed the successful release of three Nigerians wrongfully detained in Saudi Arabia on allegations of drug trafficking, praising the collaborative efforts of government institutions that worked tirelessly to secure their freedom.
Those freed are Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mr. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, who had been facing prosecution for offences they did not commit. Their release, Senator Bassey noted, highlights President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s determination to defend innocent Nigerians from injustice, no matter where they are in the world.
In a statement on Thursday, Senator Bassey commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah for what she described as “a united and decisive intervention that proved the power of collaboration in protecting Nigerian lives and dignity abroad.”
“This is a remarkable achievement that demonstrates Nigeria’s resolve to stand with its citizens in the face of injustice. It is a clear message that no innocent Nigerian will be abandoned to suffer punishment for crimes they did not commit,” Bassey declared.
However, the lawmaker cautioned Nigerians abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and to avoid conduct capable of dragging the country’s image into disrepute.
“While government will always defend the innocent, Nigerians must also be conscious of their responsibility as ambassadors of this nation. Our image is collective, and each citizen carries the burden of protecting it,” she warned.
Senator Bassey reaffirmed that the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs remains steadfast in its mandate to champion the welfare of Nigerians abroad and to intervene promptly in cases of abuse, discrimination, or wrongful detention.
“The safety and dignity of Nigerians, both at home and overseas, will continue to be a priority for us in the National Assembly,” she concluded.
