The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, along with five members of his syndicate, in connection with the arrest of three Nigerian pilgrims currently detained in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking.
The suspects allegedly operated at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, where they checked in bags containing illicit substances under the names of three unsuspecting travelers headed to Jeddah for lesser hajj on August 6, 2025.
The NDLEA disclosed the arrests during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, led by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, alongside senior officials Dr. Abdul Ibrahim (Director of Assets and Financial Investigation) and Theresa Asuquo (Director of Prosecution and Legal Services).
The detained pilgrims: Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq, were arrested upon arrival in Jeddah aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940.
Investigations revealed that members of the syndicate, in collusion with airport handling staff, had tagged seven drug-laden bags to the victims without their knowledge.
According to Babafemi, Abubakar, who masterminded the operation, traveled to Jeddah the same day via Egypt Air, while his associates executed the baggage switch.
Among those arrested, Celestina Emmanuel Yayock admitted to checking in two of the bags for a payment of ₦100,000, while another suspect, Jazuli Kabir, confessed to handling two additional bags for the same fee.
Six suspects are currently in NDLEA custody, with four already charged to court: Mohammed Ali Abubakar, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Yayock.
Babafemi stated that the agency is actively engaging with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to secure the release of the detained Nigerians.
“The facts clearly show that these Nigerians are victims of criminal conspiracies, and we will not allow them to suffer unjustly,” Babafemi said.
He added that NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), is scheduled to meet GDNC officials during an upcoming international drug conference and is prepared to travel to Saudi Arabia if necessary.
Babafemi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating drug trafficking while ensuring that innocent citizens are protected.
