The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that three Nigerians recently arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking were innocent victims of a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The victims — Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq — were on pilgrimage to Jeddah when Saudi authorities detained them after drugs were found in bags tagged in their names.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, investigations showed that the bags did not belong to the pilgrims but were secretly checked in by members of a criminal cartel led by 55-year-old Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama. Six members of the group, including airport handling staff, have been arrested, with four already facing prosecution.
NDLEA said it has opened talks with Saudi Arabia’s anti-narcotics agency to secure the release of the three Nigerians. The agency’s chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), is expected to personally present Nigeria’s findings at an international drug conference and push for their freedom.
This case mirrors a 2019 incident when a Nigerian student, Zainab Aliyu, was similarly framed at the Kano airport but later cleared and released after months in detention.
