Some students of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, on Monday protested against the arrest and detention of their female colleague, Zainab Aliyu, in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Aliyu who is currently in detention in Saudi Arabia, was arrested since December 25, 2018.
The students, who matched from the temporary site of the University to Government House, Kano on State Road and later trekked to the Saudi Arabia Consulate at Ahmadu Bello way, Kano, called for her immediate release.
The students who carried placards with various inscriptions, called on Saudi authorities to release the student in view of the fact that preliminary investigation had exonerated her from committing the offence.
Speaking to newsmen, the students’ spokesman, Sama’ila Auwal, said the decision to protest the arrest of Aliyu was borne out of the investigation carried out by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, which indicated that their colleagues was innocent.
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“We want Saudi authorities to consider the investigation conducted by NDLEA which revealed that she was innocent because a drug syndicate at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport tagged a bag with her name.
“We need Justice for Zainab, we want her released hence our decision to stage the peaceful protest to show our concern over the matter,”Auwal said.
He, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for directing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to facilitate her release.
“Zainab Aliyu is not guilty that is why we are calling for her immediate release from detention, “he said.
At the Government House, the Secretary to the Government, Usman Alhaji, addressed the protesters on behalf of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje.
He urged the students to remain calm as the Federal Government was doing everything possible to secure her release.
According to him, the state government was also concerned over the plight of Aliyu who had also been exonerated from the case.
At the Saudi Arabia Consulate, two students were selected to meet with the Consul.
NAN
