The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug kingpin and five members of his syndicate accused of planting narcotics in the luggage of innocent Nigerian pilgrims traveling through Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The plot led to the arrest and continued detention of three Nigerians in Saudi Arabia on drug trafficking charges.
According to the NDLEA, the syndicate—allegedly led by 55-year-old Mohammed Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama—was behind the smuggling of illicit substances aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on August 6 for Jeddah via Addis Ababa.
Among the victims falsely implicated were Maryam Hussaini, a 39-year-old mother of five; Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu; and Abdulhamid Saddiq. All three remain in custody in Saudi Arabia, accused of trafficking narcotics.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi told journalists on Monday that investigations showed each of the detained pilgrims checked in only one personal bag. However, members of the syndicate—working in collusion with staff of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL)—allegedly tagged six additional bags to their names, three of which contained narcotics.
“The bags containing the drugs were secretly checked in under the passengers’ names without their knowledge or consent,” Babafemi said at a press briefing in Abuja.
He further explained that Karama traveled separately on Egypt Air, while his accomplices checked in the drug-laden bags on the Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Other arrested suspects include Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan, Celestina Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir. Babafemi said all have confessed to their roles, with financial transactions and other evidence linking them to the operation.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), is expected to meet with officials from Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an upcoming international drug control conference, where he will present Nigeria’s findings and advocate for the release of the three detainees.
“These individuals are victims of a criminal conspiracy—not drug traffickers,” Babafemi stated. “The evidence is clear, and we will pursue this matter until justice is served.”
The case has raised renewed concerns about airport security and baggage handling protocols in Nigeria. Authorities have pledged to tighten oversight at Kano airport to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, families of the detained pilgrims are urging the Federal Government to ramp up diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
“She went to Saudi Arabia to worship God. Instead, she’s behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit,” said Maryam Hussaini’s husband, Abdullahi Baffa. “Now that the truth has come out, Nigeria must bring her home.”
