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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, alias Bello Karama, and five members of his syndicate in connection with the arrest of three innocent Nigerian pilgrims currently detained in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking.
The suspects reportedly exploited a criminal network operating out of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, to smuggle drugs into Saudi Arabia by secretly tagging extra baggage loaded with illicit substances to three unsuspecting pilgrims traveling for lesser hajj on August 6, 2025.
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, alongside the agency’s Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo, disclosed that the three victims Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq were arrested in Jeddah upon arrival on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940.
Babafemi explained that NDLEA investigations uncovered a disturbing conspiracy involving Abubakar and corrupt airport handling staff, who checked in seven bags three of which contained drugs using the identities of the unsuspecting passengers.
“The facts clearly show that these Nigerians are victims of criminal conspiracies, and we will not allow them to suffer unjustly,” Babafemi stated.
According to the agency, Abubakar traveled to Jeddah the same day on a different flight Egypt Air while his accomplices checked in the illicit bags under the victims’ names on Ethiopian Airlines.
Babafemi further explained:
“Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 on August 6, 2025, departing Kano en route Addis Ababa to Jeddah. Unfortunately, six additional bags three containing illicit drugs were illegally tagged in their names without their knowledge or consent.”
“Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, for instance, only checked in one 9kg luggage, which did not arrive at her destination. Her husband was only notified of its arrival ten days later, on August 16 just a day before her scheduled return to Nigeria. By then, she had already been arrested and remains detained to this date.”
Following complaints from the victims’ families, NDLEA launched an investigation which led to the arrest of Abubakar and his co-conspirators. Among them were Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir all of whom have confessed their roles in the operation.
“Investigation revealed that the bags containing illicit drug substances intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in against the complainants’ names by members of a criminal syndicate operating at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport,” Babafemi said.
“All the bags were traced to Ali Abubakar Mohammed, alias Bello Karama, who also traveled to Jeddah on the same day but on Egypt Air. He brought in seven luggage, of which three were smuggled into the Ethiopian Airlines flight via the identities of the three innocent pilgrims.”
NDLEA also confirmed the involvement of corrupt staff of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), who facilitated the illegal check-in process.
“The bags were tagged and checked in by SAHCO staff, who are also members of the syndicate. These are the very bags that were intercepted in Saudi Arabia and found to contain illicit drug substances,” Babafemi revealed.
Yayock confessed to checking in two bags for a fee of ₦100,000, while Kabir admitted to handling another two for the same amount. NDLEA also traced ₦200,000 in payments from Abubakar to Yayock, who then transferred ₦100,000 to Kabir evidence that was corroborated with payment receipts.
So far, six suspects are in custody, and four Abubakar, Adamu, Olalekan, and Yayock have been charged to court.
Meanwhile, Babafemi said the agency is actively engaging with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia to secure the release of the three Nigerians. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), is expected to meet with GDNC officials during an upcoming international drug conference.
“NDLEA remains committed to combating drug trafficking but will never abandon innocent citizens caught in the crossfire,” Babafemi assured.
He reiterated that the three pilgrims were clearly framed and wrongfully detained due to the actions of an airport-based criminal syndicate.
“It is clear that Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi and the two others being detained in Saudi Arabia are victims of circumstance, implicated by the activities of a criminal network exploiting our airports,” Babafemi emphasized.
The agency has pledged to leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice for the detained pilgrims and accountability for all involved in the illicit trafficking operation.