NDLEA uncovers syndicate using Hajj pilgrims to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia

In a shocking revelation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a criminal syndicate allegedly using Nigerian Hajj pilgrims as unsuspecting drug couriers to smuggle cocaine into Saudi Arabia.

The agency, in a statement released on Sunday, confirmed the arrest of three suspected masterminds behind the operation in Kano. This breakthrough comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the use of religious pilgrims for international drug trafficking.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, identified the suspects as Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Shugaba. Their arrests were carried out on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28, 2025, following the earlier detention of two Hajj pilgrims at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The pilgrims, identified as Ibrahim Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado, were reportedly caught attempting to board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 940 bound for Jeddah on Monday, May 26.

“The interdiction of the intending pilgrims at the NDLEA final screening point at the Kano airport was based on credible intelligence. When they were taken for scanning, the result confirmed ingestion of illicit substances.

“They were subsequently placed on excretion observation during which they excreted 45 wraps of cocaine each, bringing the total for both to 90 pellets with a total weight of 1.04kg.

“Investigation soon unraveled their sponsors as leaders of a notorious drug trafficking network, which specializes in trafficking illicit drugs to Saudi Arabia. A swift follow-up operation was carried out, and the trio of Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba were arrested on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th May 2025 in Kano,” the quotes said.

In a separate operation at the same airport, NDLEA agents intercepted a 60-year-old businessman, Chinedu Okigbo, as he attempted to travel to Iran on Qatar Airways flight QR1432 on May 28.

“His body scan confirmed he ingested illicit substances as a result of which he was placed on excretion observation during which he excreted 65 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.41kg.”

Elsewhere, NDLEA officers at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, worked alongside Customs and other security agencies to examine seven flagged containers between May 28 and May 30. The search led to the seizure of large quantities of controlled substances.

“825,200 bottles of codeine based syrup and trodol worth Five Billion Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N5,776,400,000) in street value were seized while a total of Five Million One Hundred Thousand (5,100,000) pills of opioids especially tapentadol 225mg worth Three Billion Five Hundred and Seventy Million Naira Only (N3,570,000,000) were recovered. This brings the combined street value of the opioids to Nine Billion Three Hundred and Forty-Six Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N9,346,400,000.00).”

Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, NDLEA agents discovered 390 compressed blocks of cannabis—commonly known as skunk—hidden in a parked Toyota Sienna van along the Ngurore-Yola road. The substance weighed 275.3kg.

Also, in Kwara State, officers apprehended a well-known female suspect on Saturday, May 31.

“NDLEA operatives in Kwara on Saturday 31st May arrested a notorious female drug dealer, Alhaja Mutiat Abdul-Fatai at Oja Oba area of Ilorin where various quantities of opioids including tramadol, flunitrazepam and codeine-based syrup were seized from her,” the statement said.