South African diplomats in Nigeria helped bring a three-year-old boy back to his family in Johannesburg after his mother was arrested for an alleged drug offence.
The boy’s 38-year-old mother from Brakpan was arrested in July 2026 at Abuja airport after Nigerian authorities found 5.75 kg of heroin in her luggage. She had travelled from Doha with her son. She was later sentenced to a long prison term, reportedly 25 years, leaving the young boy stranded in Nigeria.
South African diplomatic staff decided to help. They collected money among themselves (25,000 rands / $1,500) to pay for the child’s flight home.
A South African diplomat, Jerry Sibanyoni, travelled with the boy from Abuja to Lagos and then to Johannesburg. The child arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday, 26 September, where he was reunited with his grandfather.
