The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate that sponsored Hajj pilgrims as drug couriers to Saudi Arabia, arresting three cartel leaders in Kano.

 

The suspects — Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba — were apprehended in follow-up operations on May 27 and 28, following the arrest of two intending pilgrims caught with illicit drugs at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

 

In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that the initial arrests took place on May 26, when operatives intercepted Ibrahim Mustapha and Muhammad Shifado during outbound clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 940 to Jeddah.

 

Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives conducted body scans on the duo, which confirmed they had ingested illicit substances. Under medical observation, both men excreted 45 wraps of cocaine each, totalling 90 pellets and weighing 1.04kg.

 

“Investigation quickly led to the identification of their sponsors, who are part of a notorious drug network specializing in trafficking substances to Saudi Arabia,” Babafemi stated.

“This led to the arrest of the three kingpins in coordinated operations in Kano on May 27 and 28.”

 

 

 

More Arrests at Kano Airport

 

In a separate operation at MAKIA, NDLEA operatives also arrested a 60-year-old businessman, Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, on May 28. He was attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight QR1432 to Iran when a body scan revealed he had ingested illicit drugs. He later excreted 65 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.41kg.

 

Major Seizures at Port Harcourt Port

 

Between May 28 and 30, NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex (PHPC) in Onne, Rivers State, conducted a joint examination of seven watch-listed containers. The operation uncovered a staggering 825,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup and trodol, valued at ₦5.78 billion, and 5.1 million pills of tapentadol (225mg), valued at ₦3.57 billion — bringing the total estimated street value to ₦9.35 billion.

 

Other Operations Nationwide

 

In Kano, operatives patrolling the Kano–Maiduguri Road on May 30 intercepted Abubakar Hussein (42) and Sahabi Adamu (53) in possession of $900,000 in suspected counterfeit currency. The case has been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation.

 

In Adamawa State, NDLEA discovered 390 compressed blocks of cannabis (skunk) weighing 275.3kg abandoned in a Toyota Sienna parked along Ngurore–Yola Road on May 27.

 

In Kwara State, a notorious female drug dealer, Alhaja Mutiat Abdul-Fatai, was arrested on May 31 at the Oja Oba area of Ilorin. Various quantities of opioids, including tramadol, flunitrazepam, and codeine-based syrup, were recovered from her residence.

 

 

Commendation from NDLEA Leadership

 

Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), commended the agency’s Commands in Kano, PHPC, Kwara, and Adamawa for their exceptional performance. He also praised operatives nationwide for maintaining a strong balance between drug supply suppression and demand reduction initiatives.

 

“Our success in disrupting these criminal networks is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our officers. We will continue to intensify efforts to keep Nigeria safe from drug trafficking and abuse,” Marwa affirmed.