Days after a Nigerian mother of two – Kudirat Afolabi – was executed by Saudi Arabian authorities for drug possession, another compatriot of hers has been arrested in the country over similar offences.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, senior special assistant to the president on foreign affairs and diaspora, made this known while speaking at a programme on Arise Television on Friday.

She said Saheed Sobade was arrested with 1,183 grams of cocaine powder in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

WuzupNaija recalls that Saudi authorities had defended the execution of Kudirat Afolabi, saying foreigners are made to sign a document that they would not take/bring banned substances into the Asian country.

Dabiri-Erewa said,

“I have bad news for you. 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.”

On Thursday, the federal government condemned the execution of Afolabi — a widow and mother of two — who was executed on April 1.

The ministry of foreign affairs said the Saudi authorities did not inform the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia of the arrest and prosecution of the deceased Nigerian.

Dabiri-Arewa added that the Saudi authorities do not spare any country when it comes to drugs.

However, she called for fair trial, and also appealed to Nigerians back home not to “tribalise crime, no matter what.”

She further described as sad that Nigerians tribalised her announcement of the names of the five Nigerians that robbed a money exchange in the UAE.

She said,

“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,” she said.

“We should not 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.”