NDLEA Arrests Drug Kingpin Who Framed Nigerian Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old drug baron, Mohammed Abubakar, popularly known as Bello Karama, and five members of his syndicate allegedly behind a criminal operation at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport that led to the detention of three unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
The suspects were paraded at a press conference in Abuja by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, alongside the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo.
According to the agency, three Nigerians — Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq — who traveled to Jeddah on August 6, 2025, aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET940, were wrongfully detained after six additional bags were illegally tagged in their names, three of which contained illicit substances.
NDLEA investigations revealed that the bags were checked in by members of the syndicate, including airport handling staff, without the pilgrims’ knowledge or consent. Evidence traced the operation back to the syndicate leader, Abubakar, who allegedly paid accomplices to check in the drug-laden luggage under false identities.
Babafemi explained that some of the arrested suspects confessed to receiving payments of N100,000 each to smuggle the bags. “It is clear that the detained pilgrims are victims of circumstance, framed by this criminal gang,” he said.
He further disclosed that NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), is set to meet officials of Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) at an international drug conference to present Nigeria’s findings and push for the exoneration of the innocent detainees.
“We will never abandon our citizens when facts clearly show they were victims of a conspiracy,” Babafemi assured, while commending aviation and security agencies for tightening checks at Kano Airport to prevent a recurrence.
The six suspects are currently in custody, with four already charged to court awaiting arraignment. NDLEA reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug cartels and ensuring no innocent person suffers unjust punishment.