Saudi Frees Three Nigerians Framed for Drug Trafficking

NDLEA busts Kano airport syndicate behind planted narcotics

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Saudi Arabia Releases Three Nigerians Wrongly Jailed for Drugs, NDLEA Uncovers Kano Airport Syndicate

Saudi authorities have freed three Nigerian pilgrims earlier arrested in Jeddah on drug trafficking charges after investigations revealed they were victims of a criminal conspiracy at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the release on Wednesday in Abuja, explaining that the trio regained freedom after four weeks in detention.

Those released are Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq, all of whom had travelled to Jeddah aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 on August 6, 2025, for lesser hajj.

Babafemi disclosed that their release followed “sustained engagements” by NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd), with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia.

According to him, the outcome was achieved through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the backing of several top government officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The NDLEA said its probe revealed that a syndicate at Kano airport had tagged extra bags containing narcotics in the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims, leading to their arrest in Saudi Arabia.

Babafemi explained that one of the victims, Mrs. Abdullahi, checked in a single 9kg bag, but six additional bags were falsely tagged with her and the other two pilgrims’ names. Three of those bags contained illicit substances.

Following complaints from their families, NDLEA operatives launched an investigation that exposed the ring. A 55-year-old suspected kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, popularly known as Bello Karama, was arrested alongside three alleged accomplices — Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi and Jazuli Kabir.

Legal Action Against Suspects

The agency said charges have already been filed against the suspects. The findings and prosecution documents were presented to Saudi authorities as part of efforts to secure the pilgrims’ release.

“One pilgrim was released on Sunday while the remaining two regained freedom on Monday,” Babafemi said.

He added that Marwa had expressed appreciation to his Saudi counterpart for upholding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on drug control cooperation between the two countries.

“The greatest support came from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose directive was clear that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly abroad. That commitment ensured these innocent citizens returned home free,” Babafemi told reporters.

He also thanked the ministers and security chiefs who stood by the agency during the process.

The development came barely three weeks after NDLEA announced the arrest of Abubakar and his syndicate at Kano airport in connection with the same case.

The agency noted that similar tricks had been used in the past to implicate unsuspecting passengers, stressing that this case exposed the depth of criminal collusion within airport circles.

Babafemi urged Nigerians travelling abroad to remain vigilant, insisting that NDLEA would not relent in dismantling drug networks threatening the country’s image.

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