The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama.
He was nabbed alongside five members of his syndicate in connection with the detention of three Nigerians in Saudi Arabia over drug trafficking.
According to NDLEA, the syndicate operated at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, where, on August 6, 2025, they checked in bags containing illicit substances in the names of unsuspecting pilgrims travelling to Jeddah for lesser hajj.
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Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the NDLEA’s findings were clear.
“Our investigation clearly shows that these innocent Nigerians were set up by criminal conspirators who colluded with aviation handling staff to plant drugs in their names,” he stated.
He revealed that Abubakar, the mastermind, boarded Egypt Air to Jeddah the same day.
His associates, however, checked in seven bags using the identities of the victims Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq who were later arrested in Jeddah after arriving on Ethiopian Airline flight ET940.
“One of the suspects, Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, admitted she collected ₦100,000 to check in two of the bags, while another, Jazuli Kabir, confessed he was paid the same amount to handle two others,” Babafemi stated.
He further explained: “Six suspects are in our custody, and four have already been charged to court, including the kingpin himself.
“This case proves the extent to which traffickers can go to destroy innocent lives.”
“Babafemi assured that NDLEA will not relent: “We are in touch with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control, and our Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), is prepared to travel if necessary. We will not abandon our citizens.”
