The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered a criminal syndicate involving officials of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, who allegedly planted illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, saying the syndicate’s activities led to the arrest and detention of three innocent Nigerians in Jeddah after performing the lesser hajj.
According to Babafemi, six suspects have so far been arrested, with four already charged in court, including a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, popularly known as Bello Karama. Others are Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Yayock.
He explained that the victims — Maryam Abdullahi, Abdullahi Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq — boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah via Addis Ababa on August 6, 2025, unaware that six extra bags, three of which contained drugs, had been checked in against their names.
“One of the victims, Maryam Abdullahi, only checked in a nine-kilogramme bag. But her details were used to tag additional luggage containing illicit drugs, leading to her arrest and continued detention in Saudi Arabia,” Babafemi said.
He revealed that investigation traced the bags to Bello Karama, who deliberately booked them on Ethiopian Airlines under the names of the pilgrims while flying on EgyptAir himself.
Babafemi added that other suspects, including Celestina Yayock and Jazuli Kabir, confessed to checking in bags for the syndicate in exchange for N100,000 each.
Evidence of bank transfers and confessional statements, according to him, have been secured.
The NDLEA spokesman said the arrests followed petitions from families of the detained pilgrims. He assured that the agency is working with Saudi authorities to secure their release.
“NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), is currently attending an international drug control conference where he will meet with Saudi delegates to present our findings and press for the release of the detained Nigerians,” Babafemi stated.
The development has sparked outrage among families of the victims, who have appealed for urgent intervention to save their relatives from wrongful punishment.
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