The NDLEA has arrested a drug syndicate involving aviation workers who allegedly planted illicit substances in the luggage of three innocent Nigerian pilgrims detained in Saudi Arabia.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested staff of the Nigerian Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) and other accomplices for allegedly planting illicit drugs in travellers’ luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.
The agency disclosed that the syndicate implicated three Nigerian pilgrims currently detained in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after performing the lesser hajj.
A 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar, also known as Bello Karama, and five others were taken into custody.
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said the case emerged after families of the victims petitioned the agency. “Unknown to them, six extra bags, three of which contained illicit drugs, were checked in against their names,” Babafemi stated.
Investigations revealed that the bags were linked to Abubakar, who allegedly used SAHCO staff to tag them under the pilgrims’ names. Some suspects confessed to being paid N100,000 to check in the bags.
Babafemi said the NDLEA was working with Saudi authorities to secure the release of the innocent Nigerians, assuring, “We will never support the innocent being punished for crimes they did not commit.”
Six suspects are in custody, with four already charged in court.