A major drug syndicate operating out of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport has been busted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), following the wrongful detention of three Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking.
The syndicate, led by 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, had planted drug-laden luggage on unsuspecting passengers bound for Jeddah on August 6.
The victims, Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Bahijja Aminu, and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq were arrested upon arrival in Saudi Arabia after bags secretly tagged in their names were found to contain narcotics.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, at a news conference in Abuja today, said swift investigations revealed the conspiracy was masterminded by Abubakar, who checked in seven bags through corrupt handling staff while traveling on a different flight himself.
Some members of the syndicate, including airline ground handlers, confessed to collecting payments to illegally tag the bags to the pilgrims.
Six suspects are now in custody, with four charged to court.
The NDLEA has opened dialogue with Saudi Arabia’s narcotics authority to secure the release of the innocent pilgrims, insisting Nigeria will not allow its citizens suffer for crimes orchestrated by criminal gangs.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), is set to meet Saudi officials at an international drug conference to present the findings and push for justice.
The Agency vowed to intensify its crackdown on drug cartels and tighten airport security, stressing that while traffickers will be prosecuted, the innocent must never be punished.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen