Nigerians have joined in the call for the release of Zainab Aliyu who 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.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said on Monday that the president had directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to ensure Aliyu’s release.
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.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa also said Aliyu “though detained, has not been put on trial by the Saudi Arabia government. And with the hard evidence that those who implicated her have been arrested, a strong legal case is being made to the Saudi authorities.
“Mr Habib Aliyu, the father of the alleged drug courier, Zainab Aliyu, had appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Saudi authorities and the international community, as well as well-meaning individuals to intervene in her daughter’s case and save the ‘innocent’ lady from being executed wrongly.”
Nigerians on Twitter have now called for the government to facilitate Aliyu’s release.
