NDLEA Arrests Suspected Drug Kingpin, Five Others Over Kano Pilgrims’ Detention In Saudi Arabia The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug kingpin and five members of his syndicate accused of planting narcotics in the luggage of innocent pilgrims who flew out of Kano to Saudi Arabia earlier this month. The syndicate, led by 55-year-old Mohammed Abubakar alias Bello Karama, allegedly smuggled illicit substances onto Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, which departed Kano on August 6 for Jeddah via Addis Ababa. Their actions reportedly led to the detention of three Nigerians in Saudi Arabia — including a 39-year-old mother of five, Maryam Hussaini, Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq — all still being held on drug trafficking charges. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, investigations showed the pilgrims checked in only one personal bag each, but members of the syndicate, working with Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) staff, illegally tagged six additional bags in their names, three of which contained drugs. Karama allegedly travelled separately on Egypt Air while accomplices checked in the narcotics. Other suspects named include Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan, Celestina Yayock, and Jazuli Kabir, all of whom reportedly confessed, with payment trails traced to them. NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) is expected to meet with Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) during an upcoming international drug conference to push for the release of the innocent detainees. “The evidence clearly shows these Nigerians are victims of a criminal conspiracy, not traffickers. We will pursue this matter until justice is done,” Babafemi said. The case has reignited concerns over airport baggage security, with fresh measures promised at Kano airport. Families of the detained pilgrims have also urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts. “She went to Saudi Arabia to worship God. Instead, she is in prison for a crime others committed. Now that the truth is out, Nigeria must bring her back,” said Maryam’s husband, Abdullahi Baffa. #NDLEA #DrugTrafficking #Kano #SaudiArabia

Newsbrief: Lagos Widow Nabbed For Cocaine In Fake Pregnancy Belly, Dispatch Riders Caught With Drugs In Abuja The NDLEA has arrested 50-year-old widow Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike for attempting to traffic 1.3kg of cocaine concealed in a fake pregnancy belly. She was intercepted at a Lagos bus terminal while heading to Abuja. A follow-up search at her residence uncovered additional drug materials, with Ezewuike confessing she inherited the trade from her late husband. In Abuja, two dispatch riders were arrested for delivering illicit substances, while nationwide raids in Kwara, Kano, Kogi, Taraba, Edo, Delta, Adamawa, Ondo, and Ekiti led to multiple seizures of cannabis, opioids, and codeine. NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa vowed that the agency will sustain its crackdown on drug cartels and peddlers across the country. #NDLEA #DrugTrafficking #NigeriaNews #WarOnDrugs