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 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The suspects were linked to the illegal shipment of illicit substances that led to the arrest of three unsuspecting Nigerians in Saudi Arabia. The three pilgrims – Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq – were detained in Jeddah earlier this month after drugs were found in bags wrongly tagged in their names.
The NDLEA made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, August 25, 2025. Speaking on behalf of the Agency, Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that the detained Nigerians were victims of a criminal conspiracy.
“Our investigation has confirmed that these pilgrims had no knowledge of the illicit drugs. Their names were used by the syndicate to tag bags secretly checked in at MAKIA. They are innocent and victims of circumstance,” Babafemi said.
The Agency revealed that the mastermind, Ali Abubakar, checked in seven pieces of luggage, while accomplices, including airport handling staff, were paid to tag some of the bags under the pilgrims’ names. Some suspects confessed to collecting ₦100,000 each for their roles.
Four suspects, including Abubakar, have been charged to court and are awaiting arraignment.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), is expected to engage Saudi authorities during an international drug conference to secure the release of the detained pilgrims.
“Nigeria will never abandon its citizens, especially when evidence proves they are innocent. We are determined to see that justice is done,” Babafemi assured.
The Agency also commended the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, AVSEC, and DSS for their support and for implementing new measures at Kano airport to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
