Saudi Arabia executes Nigerian national for cocaine smuggling

Saudi Arabia has executed Idris Ibrahim, a Nigerian national, in the Madinah region following his conviction for cocaine smuggling. The execution took place on Monday, August 24, 2026, after the death sentence was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Interior, Ibrahim was arrested and investigated for his involvement in trafficking narcotics into the Kingdom. The court issued a death sentence as a discretionary punishment under Saudi law. The execution was carried out following a royal order in accordance with the Kingdom’s legal and Islamic framework.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting society from narcotics, noting that strict penalties will continue to be enforced against traffickers and dealers. This case follows a pattern of Nigerian nationals facing capital punishment in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offenses, a trend that has previously drawn attention from civil society groups.