NDLEA Nets Drug Baron, Associates Over Kano Pilgrims' Saudi Detention

Law & Enforcement

Posted by AI on 2025-08-26 08:24:27 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-26 10:37:31

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected major drug baron and five other members of his syndicate accused of planting drugs on Nigerian pilgrims at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), leading to the detention of three travelers in Saudi Arabia.

The suspected kingpin is 55-year-old Mohammed Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama. He and his associates are accused of smuggling drugs onto Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano for Jeddah via Addis Ababa on August 6.

The victims, according to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, include 39-year-old mother of five Maryam Hussaini; Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu; and Abdulhamid Saddiq, who all checked in only one bag each. Syndicate members allegedly tagged six additional bags in their names, three of which contained drugs.

Babafemi said Karama traveled separately on Egypt Air, while his accomplices checked in the drug-laden luggage on Ethiopian Airlines. NDLEA also arrested four of his accomplices, including Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan, Celestina Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir. Payments have been traced to the latter three confessing members.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) is expected to present Nigeria's findings to Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) at an upcoming international drug conference.

The evidence clearly shows these three Nigerians are victims of a criminal conspiracy, not traffickers, said Babafemi. We will pursue this matter until justice is done.

The incident has raised concerns about baggage security at Nigerian airports, with authorities promising stricter checks at Kano airport. Families of the detainees have urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts for their release.

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