Group lauds Buhari over release of Nigerian student from Saudi prison

The Reformed Christian Association of Nigeria (rCAN) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari over the prompt release of Zainab Aliyu from Saudi Arabian detention.

Aliyu, a Nigerian student, was detained over illegal dosage of tramadol found in a bag labelled in her name at a Saudi airport last.

On being alerted, the president ordered Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), to ensure her release.

Acting on the instructions of Buhari, the AGF hired lawyers on Tuesday in the gulf country to compliment the Nigerian mission in the Kingdom as well as the ministry of foreign affairs.

Barely five hours later, Aliyu was set free and an utterly marvelled RCAN can’t help but applaud president Buhari.

In a statement released on Wednesday by Enoch Atumeyi, interim president, the group was particularly impressed by the president’s speedy response in a case that would have potentially led to death penalty.

“ The Reformed Christian Association of Nigeria (rCAN) is commends President Muhammadu Buhari over the reprieve he got for a Nigerian, Zainab Aliyu, who was being held and facing the prospect of execution in Saudi Arabia over drug running charges,” the statement read.

“The freedom procured for Zainab should be a platform from which to launch the primacy of the Nigerian life globally such that Nigerian anywhere in the world are reassured that they will never be left alone.

“rCAN makes this charge in the confidence and knowledge that President Buhari secured Zainab’s release not because himself and the young woman are both Muslims neither did the ease of with which the outcome was achieved has anything to do with Saudi Arabia being an Islamic country. The same result would have been gotten from any other country – Islamic, Christian, polytheist, or secular – so long as the government of such country recognizes the ongoing reforms that have set Nigeria on the path of becoming an axis of influence.

“We appreciate Mr. President and his proactive efforts that delivered a positive intervention, which freed Zainab. Her experience is a wake-up call on the Federal Government to decisively go after the cartels and syndicates that place innocent Nigerians in arms way by sneaking illicit drugs into their luggage, particularly the cartel discovered to be operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.”

The Christian group, however, stated that the work doesn’t end there for the federal government, asking that all hands be on deck to ensure the release of other Nigerians languishing in various Saudi detention.”