By Uzair Adam
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, popularly known as Bello Karama, along with five members of his syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The arrest followed investigations that linked the group to the shipment of illicit substances that led to the detention of three unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia on drug trafficking allegations.
The Agency disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, addressed by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, alongside Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, and Theresa Asuquo, Director of Prosecution and Legal Services.
NDLEA explained that the development came after its Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), received complaints from three families whose relatives—Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq—were detained in Jeddah following their lesser hajj pilgrimage.
The detainees were accused of trafficking drugs after being linked to six additional bags not belonging to them, three of which contained illicit substances.
Investigations traced the bags to the syndicate led by Abubakar, who checked them into an Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 on August 6, 2025, the same flight boarded by the three innocent pilgrims.
Members of the group, including staff of Skyway Aviation Handling Company, were said to have illegally tagged the bags against the names of the pilgrims without their knowledge.
Six suspects are currently in NDLEA custody, with four already charged to court. Confessional statements revealed that the bags were checked in for monetary rewards, with transfers of N200,000 linked to the operation.
The NDLEA said it has initiated discussions with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to secure the release of the detained Nigerians.
Marwa is also expected to personally meet with Saudi authorities during an international drug conference to press for their exoneration.
The Agency assured that while it remains committed to fighting drug trafficking, it will not allow innocent Nigerians to suffer for crimes they did not commit.