The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested several employees of Nigerian Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) in connection with a drug planting scheme at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.
According to the agency, these staff members were part of a syndicate responsible for planting illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting travelers. The scheme implicated three Nigerian pilgrims—Maryam Abdullahi, Abdullahi Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq—who are currently detained in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on drug trafficking charges they deny.
The 55-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, along with five other syndicate members, was arrested following investigations that linked them to the plot.
At a press conference held at NDLEA’s national headquarters in Abuja, Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi explained the case began after the agency received petitions from the families of the detained Nigerians.
Babafemi revealed that the pilgrims traveled from Kano to Jeddah on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 on August 6, 2025. Unbeknownst to them, six additional bags—three containing drugs—were checked in under their names by the syndicate. One of the victims, Abdullahi, only checked in one bag, which did not arrive in Jeddah. The illicit bags were linked to Mohammed Ali Abubakar, who boarded a different flight and had the bags fraudulently tagged to the innocent travelers.
The NDLEA confirmed that the SAHCO staff assisted in tagging the contraband luggage without the victims’ knowledge, which led to the wrongful arrests and detention of the innocent Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.
Currently, six members of the syndicate are in custody, with four—Abubakar, Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan, and Celestina Yayock—already charged in court. Confessions from the suspects revealed a bribery scheme involving payment to tag the bags.
The agency is coordinating with Saudi authorities to clear the names of the detained Nigerians. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.) is actively pursuing justice for the victims, including presenting evidence at an international drug conference and potentially traveling to Saudi Arabia.
The NDLEA also praised cooperation from the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Aviation Security Services, and the Department of State Services for steps taken to prevent future occurrences.
This case follows the recent arrest of Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, a widow and fashion designer accused of attempting to smuggle cocaine by faking pregnancy.
