The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an alleged 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, and five members of his syndicate at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano.

The suspects were apprehended after investigations revealed they were behind the shipment of illicit substances that led to the wrongful detention of three Nigerians in Jeddah on drug trafficking charges.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during a press briefing alongside the agency’s Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr Abdul Ibrahim, and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo.

The investigation was launched following petitions from three families whose relatives were arrested in Saudi Arabia during a pilgrimage. NDLEA found that Mrs Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu and Mr Abdulhamid Saddiq were unknowingly linked to bags containing drugs, which were checked in under their names by members of the syndicate.

According to the agency, the syndicate leader, Ali Abubakar Mohammed, checked in the bags the same day the pilgrims travelled but boarded a different airline to Jeddah. The illicit bags were later intercepted in Saudi Arabia, leading to the detention of the innocent passengers.

Those in custody include Mohammed Ali Abubakar, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock. Four of the suspects have already been charged in court.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), is scheduled to meet a delegation from Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) to present Nigeria’s findings.

“Nigeria will never abandon its citizens, especially when the facts clearly show that they are victims of criminal conspiracies,” Marwa assured.

Babafemi added that the agency worked closely with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Aviation Security, and the Department of State Services. He confirmed that new measures have been approved at MAKIA to prevent a recurrence.