New media aide of the President, Bashir Ahmad, has said that the presidency has hired lawyers in Saudi Arabia to join in efforts to secure the release of Zainab Aliyu.
Ms Aliyu has been in detention in Saudi Arabia after illegal dosage of tramadol was found in a bag labeled in her name at a Saudi airport.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Mr Ahmad said the National Hajj Commission had hired lawyers in Saudi Arabia on the instructions of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.
“UPDATE: As President @MBuhari directed AGF to intervene in Zainab Habib’s case, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria announces the hiring of lawyers in Saudi Arabia to compliment efforts of the Nigerian mission in the Kingdom towards securing her timely release from detention,” he wrote.
He added that the AGF’s office had been working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; National Hajj Commission of Nigeria; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and other relevant agencies to return Aliyu safely home.
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had said that Aliyu was a victim of a cartel at the Aminu Kano airport in Kano.
It also said the cartel specialises in placing hard drugs in the luggage of air travellers.
