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Saudi Arabia arrests Nigerian pilgrim with kolanuts

KolanutsAbiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

A yet-to-be identified Nigerian pilgrim has landed in trouble in Saudi Arabia for taking kolanuts to the holy land.

The pilgrim, it was learnt, was caught with 10 kolanuts on Monday afternoon.

The pilgrim was said to have been fined 10,000 Saudi Riyals, amounting to 1000 Riyals per kolanut.

A source who spoke with the acting Ambassador of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia Monday afternoon confirmed the development, saying the Saudi authorities viewed the importation of kolanuts into the Kingdom as illegal.

As at the time of filing this report, officials of the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah were still pleading for the pilgrim.

Our correspondent gathered that under Saudi law, anyone caught with narcotic drugs will face the death penalty.

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