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Just few days after the execution of Kidirat Afolabi for drug-related offences in Saudi Arabia, another Nigerian has been caught in possession of cocaine in the same country.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, who disclosed this on a programme on Arise Television on Friday, said the suspect has been identified as Saheed Ayinde Sobade.
“I have bad news for you,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “Just yesterday, in the midst of the cacophony of 20 to be killed, eight have been killed, another Nigerian was caught with cocaine in Jeddah.
“He was caught with 1,183 grams of cocaine powder. As he was arrested, the mission was informed and his name is Saheed Ayinde Sobade. So, do not let us tribalise crime, no matter what.”
Dabiri-Arewa, while condemning the tribalisation of crime by some Nigerians in relation to the fact the five Nigerians who robbed a bureau de change in UAE recently were all from the Eastern part of the country, pointed out that crime has no tribe.
According to her, “it’s a sad commentary that at this point in our lives we are tribalising crime. Crime is crime. We should not debase the green passport. We should allow a few bad eggs to spoil the bond. The Dubai thing was all over the places. We saw the faces released to the public; only the eyes were covered and also the names.
“So, there’s no reason why it will not be mentioned. However, for the Saudi incident, the woman that was executed, we have to tell the family first before making an announcement. So after informing the family, the minister for foreign affairs issued a statement stating her name, Kudirat Adesola Afolabi, a lady and a mother of two.”
The presidential aide explained that the Saudi authorities have never spared any country when it comes to drugs, adding that Nigeria only advocates for fair trial.