The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a criminal syndicate operating at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, responsible for implicating three Nigerians currently detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged drug trafficking.
A 55-year-old suspected drug baron, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, and five others have been taken into custody following investigations that revealed they masterminded the smuggling of illicit substances to Jeddah, using the identities of unsuspecting pilgrims who had travelled for the lesser hajj.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the findings at a press conference in Abuja alongside senior officials of the agency. He explained that the detainees in Saudi Arabia — Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq — boarded Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah via Addis Ababa on August 6, 2025. Unknown to them, six additional bags tagged in their names contained narcotics.
According to NDLEA, the luggage was deliberately checked in by members of the syndicate working in collusion with staff of a ground handling company at the Kano airport. While the three pilgrims were arrested on arrival in Jeddah, the alleged mastermind, Ali Abubakar, flew on a different airline to evade detection.
Babafemi revealed that six suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, four of whom — including the kingpin — are already facing multiple charges in court. Confessional statements and financial records allegedly link them to the illegal operation, with one suspect admitting to collecting ₦100,000 for checking in two drug-laden bags.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), has reportedly initiated high-level talks with Saudi authorities to secure the release of the detained pilgrims. He is expected to meet officials of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an international drug conference, and has vowed to personally travel to the Kingdom if necessary to press Nigeria’s case.
The agency stressed that while it will continue to pursue high-profile traffickers without compromise, it will also ensure that innocent citizens are not punished for crimes orchestrated by criminal networks.
Babafemi further commended the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, AVSEC, and the DSS for collaborating on the investigation and implementing new measures at Kano airport to prevent future incidents.
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