NDLEA has arrested suspected cartel leader Mohammed Ali Abubakar and five others over drug smuggling.
They allegedly planted drug-filled bags on three innocent Nigerian pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a suspected cartel leader alongside five accomplices linked to the wrongful detention of three Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
According to findings, the prime suspect, 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also called Bello Karama, was taken into custody after investigations traced a major trafficking network to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
Speaking in Abuja, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi explained that the syndicate deliberately planted drug-laden luggage under the identities of three unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims: Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq.
The trio, who were on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj, were arrested upon arrival in Jeddah when six additional bags were linked to them three of which contained illegal drugs.
Investigations later confirmed that the travelers, who departed Kano on August 6 via Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET940, were unaware of the extra baggage. Their own luggage either got delayed or failed to arrive.
While this was happening, the key suspect, Ali Abubakar, flew the same day on Egypt Air to Jeddah, a move that allowed him to avoid direct suspicion from the tampered flight.
The NDLEA revealed that the syndicate had the cooperation of certain airline and ground handling workers who tagged the illegal bags to the pilgrims without their consent.
Some members admitted to collecting ₦100,000 each for smuggling the luggage.
So far, four suspects have been charged in court: Ali Abubakar, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock. Investigators also confirmed that financial transfers were made among the group to facilitate the crime.
