Drug Kingpin, Five Others Arrested in NDLEA Operation After Three Nigerians’ Detention in Saudi Arabia

A Complex Case of Drug Trafficking and Innocent Pilgrims

A significant development has emerged in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking, involving a 55-year-old individual known as Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also referred to as Bello Karama, and five other members of a criminal syndicate. These individuals were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following their involvement in a case where three innocent Nigerian pilgrims were detained in Jeddah on suspicion of drug trafficking.

The incident came to light after the NDLEA received complaints from the families of these three Nigerians, who had embarked on a lesser hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The families reported that their loved ones were being held in custody for alleged drug trafficking, which they had no knowledge of. In response, the NDLEA launched an investigation to uncover the truth behind the allegations.

How the Syndicate Implicated Innocent Pilgrims

According to the NDLEA, the three detained individuals—Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq—boarded an Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 from Kano on August 6, 2025, en route to Addis-Ababa with a stop in Jeddah. However, they were unknowingly associated with six additional bags that were not theirs. Three of these bags were found to contain illicit drugs.

Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi checked in only one luggage weighing 9 kilograms, which did not arrive with her at her destination. Her husband was informed of the arrival of their luggage on August 16, just a day before their scheduled departure from Jeddah on August 17. Following this, she was detained in Jeddah and remains in custody.

The cases of the other two individuals followed a similar pattern, with the NDLEA reporting that they were also implicated in the drug trafficking allegations without their knowledge.

The Role of the Criminal Syndicate

The NDLEA’s investigation revealed that the bags containing illicit substances intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in under the names of the three complainants by members of a criminal syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The leader of this syndicate, Ali Abubakar Mohammed (also known as Bello Karama), checked in the bags on the same day the three individuals traveled on the Ethiopian Airline.

Interestingly, Ali Abubakar Mohammed, who also traveled to Jeddah on the same date, boarded Egypt Air rather than the Ethiopian Airline where he had checked in the contaminated bags. The bags were tagged and checked in by members of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company, who are also part of the criminal syndicate. These bags were secretly tagged under the names of the three complainants without their knowledge or consent.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Efforts

Six members of the syndicate have been taken into custody, with four already charged in court. These include Ali Abubakar Mohammed, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock. All have made confessional statements, with some admitting to checking in the bags for a fee.

The NDLEA is currently engaging in dialogue with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia to ensure the three innocent Nigerians are exonerated. The agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is set to attend an international drug conference and plans to meet with Saudi counterparts to present findings and seek cooperation.

Commitment to Justice and Public Safety

The NDLEA has reaffirmed its commitment to combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. It emphasized that while it will not hesitate to take action against high-profile individuals, it will also ensure that innocent people are not punished for crimes they did not commit.

In addition, the agency expressed gratitude to various authorities for their collaboration in addressing the situation at MAKIA. It also highlighted the interim measures implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

As investigations continue, the NDLEA remains dedicated to ensuring justice for all citizens, especially those caught in the crossfire of criminal activities.