After Spending 6 Months In Saudi Arabia Prison, Nigerian Student Zainab Aliyu, Narrates Ordeal

A Nigerian student, Zainab Aliyu, who was detained in Saudi Arabia prison but has been released recently has narrated her ordeal in the prison.

She was detained after she was accused of drug trafficking but arrived in Nigeria on Monday.

She was released to the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia after President Muhammadu Buhari directed Mr Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to immediately intervene in her case.

Narrating her ordeal in Saudi Arabia, Zainab speaking to BBC on Wednesday said she shed tears after being detained for drug trafficking.

According to her, she was shocked about the incident because she had never seen or used drugs in her life.

When asked of her ordeal in Saudi Arabia, she narrated: “I don’t know anything about drugs, I cried, I cried, I cried until tears couldn’t run from my eyes again.

“I was asking my family for help but my family was helpless.

“The trauma can’t be explained; this trouble began in 26th December 2018, in our room in Medina.

“About seven men burst into our room without our notice, they said they were looking for Zainab Aliyu that came with some illegal drugs to the country.

“I can’t explain the feeling, you never know what they are going to do with you. I saw one Nigerian woman executed there.

“Everyday when I think about this moment, I burst into tears.”