NDLEA has uncovered how airport officials colluded with a drug syndicate to plant illicit substances in the luggage of three innocent Nigerian pilgrims detained in Saudi Arabia, as the government intensifies efforts to secure their release.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed how a criminal syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) planted illicit drug-laden luggage on three unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims, leading to their arrest and continued detention in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
At the center of the syndicate is 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, popularly known as Bello Karama. Abubakar and five accomplices—including staff of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO)—were arrested following a painstaking investigation by the NDLEA.
The agency’s findings came after three families petitioned the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), over the plight of their relatives: Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq, who were all detained in Jeddah on suspicion of drug trafficking.
How Innocent Pilgrims Were Framed
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the three Nigerians boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah via Addis Ababa on August 6, 2025. Unknown to them, syndicate members had tagged extra bags against their names.
“The bags containing illicit drug substances intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in against the complainants’ names by members of a criminal syndicate operating in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport without the knowledge of the three complainants,” Babafemi explained.
One of the victims, Mrs. Abdullahi, checked in only one bag weighing nine kilograms. Yet, her details were used to smuggle additional luggage later discovered to contain narcotics. “For the above reasons, the three complainants were arrested and detained for crimes they had no knowledge of,” the NDLEA noted.
Further investigations showed that Abubakar, the ringleader, did not even board Ethiopian Airlines. Instead, he travelled on EgyptAir the same day, leaving the contaminated bags tagged in the names of the pilgrims.
Inside the Syndicate’s Operations
NDLEA said at least six members of the cartel have been arrested. Four suspects—Ali Abubakar Mohammed, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock—have already been charged to court.
Some suspects confessed to receiving ₦100,000 each to check in drug-laden luggage. Celestina admitted handling two of the bags, while another suspect, Jazuli Kabir, confessed to checking in two others for the same payment. NDLEA investigators obtained receipts showing money transfers between Abubakar and the collaborators.
This revelation exposed the depth of corruption within airport handling services and raised serious questions about the security of Nigerian travellers abroad.
Government Moves to Secure Release of Detained Nigerians
With clear evidence proving the innocence of the detained pilgrims, NDLEA has launched diplomatic efforts to secure their release. Brig. Gen. Marwa is expected to present the agency’s findings to officials of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) of Saudi Arabia during an international drug conference.
“The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency… intends to meet them one on one, to present our findings and seek the cooperation of our Saudi counterparts in ensuring that Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi and the two others get the justice they deserve,” Babafemi confirmed.
The Nigerian government has also partnered with the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, Aviation Security (AVSEC), and the DSS to tighten airport security and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
A Test of Nigeria’s Resolve
The wrongful detention of these pilgrims highlights the grave risks faced by innocent Nigerians when criminal syndicates exploit airport systems. But the swift intervention by NDLEA underscores the government’s determination to protect its citizens abroad.
As Babafemi emphasized, “While there are no sacred cows in our enforcement duties… it will not support the innocent being punished for crimes they did not commit.”
With the evidence gathered and ongoing diplomatic engagement, Nigerians remain hopeful that the three pilgrims will soon regain their freedom and return home vindicated.