NDLEA Apprehends Drug Syndicate Linked To Wrongful Detention Of Nigerian Pilgrims In Saudi Arabia.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled a criminal syndicate operating at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano, Nigeria, responsible for the wrongful detention of three Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The agency announced the arrest of a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, alongside five accomplices, following a swift investigation into the trafficking plot.
The three detained pilgrims—Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr Abdulhamid Saddiq—were apprehended in Jeddah after illicit substances were discovered in luggage falsely tagged with their names. The trio had travelled from Kano to Jeddah via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 on 6 August 2025 for the lesser hajj pilgrimage. According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the pilgrims were unaware of the additional bags, three of which contained illegal drugs.
The NDLEA’s investigation revealed that the syndicate, in collusion with staff from Skyway Aviation Handling Company, secretly tagged six bags containing illicit substances to the pilgrims’ names without their knowledge. The mastermind, Abubakar, checked these bags onto the Ethiopian Airlines flight but travelled to Jeddah on a separate Egypt Air flight with three additional bags. Babafemi noted that the syndicate leader admitted to handling seven pieces of luggage, while accomplices, including Celestina Emmanuel Yayock and Jazuli Kabir, confessed to checking in two bags each for a fee of N100,000. Financial records obtained by the NDLEA confirmed transfers of N200,000 from Abubakar to his accomplices.
Six members of the syndicate, including Abubakar, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, are now in custody, with four already charged and awaiting arraignment. The agency’s findings have been shared with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to secure the release of the detained pilgrims. NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), is set to meet GDNC officials at an international drug conference to present evidence of the pilgrims’ innocence and, if necessary, plans to travel to Saudi Arabia to ensure justice is served.
Babafemi emphasised the agency’s commitment to combating drug trafficking while protecting innocent Nigerians from unjust punishment. “The evidence clearly shows that these three individuals are victims of a criminal conspiracy,” he stated. “We will pursue this matter until justice is done.” The NDLEA has also collaborated with the Minister of Aviation and other agencies to implement stricter security measures at Kano airport to prevent similar incidents.
The families of the detained pilgrims have expressed relief at the NDLEA’s swift action and are urging the Nigerian government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure their release. The case has raised concerns about airport security and baggage handling, prompting calls for enhanced oversight to safeguard travellers.
