The Senate said on Tuesday that Nigerians felt greatly relieved following the release of Zainab Aliyu and Mr Ibrahim Abubakar by the Saudi Arabia authorities. The duo had been detained for four months by the country.
The Senate said this following a Point of Order by Sen. Kabiru Gaya at plenary on Tuesday.
Zainab Aliyu, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, and Ibrahim Abubakar, were arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking in Dec. 2018 when she was arrested at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina because Tramadol, a banned drug was allegedly found in her bag.
Zainab, however, claimed it was planted in her luggage by unknown persons.
Similarly, Aabubakar was arrested in that country for alleged drug-related offence.
While referring to Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule, Gaya said he deemed it necessary to thank President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate, and all who contributed to their release.
He said: “I want to appreciate the Senate for supporting us during the motion I raised for the release of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar.
“Zainab, and Ibrahim, a 75-year old Imam in Kano have returned from Saudi Arabia and joined their families.
“I thank President Buhari, Nigerians on social media, and all those that worked to ensure their release.”
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said their release was “a great relief to Nigerians in all parts of the country”.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mustapha Sulaiman, who confirmed the release of the two, said it was the result of intense diplomatic engagements between the Nigerian government and that of Saudi Arabia.
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