NDLEA Unmasks Kano Syndicate Framing Nigerian Pilgrims In Saudi

A 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, and five members of his syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The syndicate was exposed as being behind the trafficking of illicit substances for which three unsuspecting Nigerians—pilgrims returning from the lesser hajj—were wrongfully detained in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This revelation was made on Monday, 25th August, at a press conference held at the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja, addressed by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, alongside senior directors Dr Abdul Ibrahim and Theresa Asuquo.

According to the Agency, three Nigerians—Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr Abdulhamid Saddiq—were implicated after six extra bags, three of which contained drugs, were secretly checked in under their names on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Kano to Jeddah on 6th August.

The pilgrims were arrested in Saudi Arabia and remain in detention.

The NDLEA’s swift investigation uncovered that the bags had been planted by members of a criminal syndicate led by Abubakar.

He travelled separately on Egypt Air the same day, while his associates used insiders at Skyway Aviation Handling Company to tag the drug-laden bags under the pilgrims’ names without their knowledge.

“All the bags were traced to Ali Abubakar Mohammed, who masterminded the operation,” Babafemi said. “It is clear from our evidence that the detained Nigerians are innocent victims of circumstance.”

So far, six syndicate members have been arrested, with four already charged to court, including Abubakar, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock.

Confessions revealed that members were paid between ₦100,000 and ₦200,000 to smuggle the bags.

The NDLEA has opened dialogue with the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to secure the release of the innocent pilgrims. Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, is scheduled to meet Saudi officials at an international drug conference, with a pledge to travel to the Kingdom if necessary.

Babafemi stressed that Nigeria will never abandon its citizens when evidence shows they are victims of criminal conspiracies.

He further assured that stricter security measures have been introduced at MAKIA to prevent such incidents from recurring.