The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, along with five members of his syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The arrests follow an investigation that linked the group to illicit drug consignments which led to the detention of three unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on allegations of drug trafficking.
At a press briefing on Monday, August 25, 2025, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the suspects were behind the tagging and check-in of drug-laden bags in the names of three pilgrims: Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq.
According to Babafemi, the victims had boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah via Addis Ababa on August 6, 2025, with only their personal luggage. Unknown to them, six additional bags were illegally tagged in their names by the syndicate in collusion with aviation ground handling staff. Three of those bags were later found to contain narcotics upon arrival in Jeddah, leading to their arrest and continued detention.
“The evidence clearly shows that these Nigerians are innocent victims of a criminal conspiracy,” Babafemi said, adding that NDLEA traced the bags directly to Abubakar, who checked them in but traveled separately to Jeddah aboard Egypt Air.
The NDLEA revealed that the syndicate relied on compromised aviation staff to execute the operation. One of the suspects, Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, admitted to checking in two bags for a fee of ₦100,000, while another suspect, Jazuli Kabir, confessed to handling two more bags for the same amount. Financial transfers backing these confessions have been recovered by the Agency.
So far, six suspects are in custody, with four charged to court, including Abubakar, Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu, and Murtala Akande Olalekan. All have reportedly made confessional statements.
Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), is leading high-level engagements with Saudi authorities to secure the release of the three innocent Nigerians. He is expected to meet officials of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an international drug conference.
“If necessary, the Chairman is prepared to travel personally to Saudi Arabia to ensure justice is served,” Babafemi stated, assuring that Nigeria will not abandon its citizens when facts prove their innocence.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to fighting drug trafficking while protecting law-abiding Nigerians from wrongful persecution. The Agency also commended the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, AVSEC, and the DSS for supporting investigations and introducing interim measures at MAKIA to prevent a recurrence