The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, along with five members of his syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano State.
The syndicate was uncovered after three innocent Nigerians—Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq—were wrongly detained in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on drug trafficking allegations during their lesser hajj pilgrimage.
At a press conference on Monday in Abuja, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that the suspects masterminded the scheme by checking in drug-laden bags in the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims. The briefing was also attended by the Agency’s Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo.
Investigations revealed that Abubakar, the ringleader, smuggled seven pieces of luggage onto an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, but personally flew on Egypt Air the same day. Members of staff of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company, identified as part of the syndicate, allegedly tagged the illicit bags under the pilgrims’ names without their knowledge.
“The three complainants were arrested and detained for crimes they had no knowledge of. Our investigation shows they are victims of circumstance, implicated by the activities of a criminal cartel at MAKIA,” Babafemi stated.
NDLEA disclosed that six members of the gang are in custody, with four already charged to court, including Abubakar himself. One suspect, Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, confessed to checking in two bags for a fee of ₦100,000, while another, Jazuli Kabir, admitted to the same arrangement. The agency also displayed payment receipts linking Abubakar to the transactions.
The agency assured that it is engaging Saudi authorities to secure the release of the three detained Nigerians. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), is scheduled to meet with officials of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an international drug conference.
“If required, the CCEO is prepared to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia personally to pursue this matter to its conclusion,” Babafemi said, stressing that Nigeria would not abandon innocent citizens.
NDLEA noted that interim measures have already been approved at MAKIA by the Ministry of Aviation and other security agencies to prevent a recurrence.
The agency reaffirmed its zero tolerance for drug trafficking, vowing to punish offenders while protecting innocent Nigerians from being scapegoated.
