NDLEA arrests Kano drug kingpin, 5 others over Saudi detention of innocent pilgrims

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old drug baron, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, popularly known as Bello Karama, and five members of his syndicate, in connection with the detention of three innocent Nigerians in Saudi Arabia on drug trafficking charges.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, flanked by the agency’s Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo.

According to the NDLEA, the syndicate operated at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, where they connived with aviation handling staff to smuggle illicit drugs into the luggage of unsuspecting pilgrims travelling to Jeddah for the lesser hajj on August 6, 2025.

The victims — Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq — were arrested on arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940.

Babafemi explained that investigations revealed that syndicate members tagged extra bags laden with drugs in the names of the victims without their knowledge. Meanwhile, Abubakar, the mastermind, flew to Jeddah the same day aboard Egypt Air to evade suspicion.

“At least seven bags were checked in under the names of the victims,” Babafemi said, adding that two members of the group had confessed to their roles.

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One suspect, Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, admitted checking in two bags for a fee of N100,000, while another, Jazuli Kabir, confessed to handling two others for the same amount.

So far, six suspects have been arrested, with four — including Abubakar, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Yayock — already charged to court.

The NDLEA said it is engaging directly with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to secure the release of the three Nigerians, stressing that they are victims of a criminal conspiracy.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), is expected to meet GDNC officials on the sidelines of an international drug conference, and according to Babafemi, he is prepared to travel to Saudi Arabia if required.

“The facts clearly show that these Nigerians are victims of criminal conspiracies, and we will not allow them to suffer unjustly,” Babafemi assured.

He added that while NDLEA remains unyielding in its fight against drug cartels, it is equally committed to ensuring that innocent citizens are not abandoned to their fate abroad.