NDLEA Commends Aviation Minister for Swift Intervention in Saudi Arabia Drug Trafficking Ordeal
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commended the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), for his prompt and strategic intervention in the recent case of three Nigerians wrongfully detained in Saudi Arabia over allegations of drug trafficking.
The three innocent victims of this dastardly act are: Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq
You will recall that to unravel the truth behind the incident, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), had ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. The outcome revealed that a criminal syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the unsuspecting pilgrims, leading to their arrest in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The NDLEA probe led to the arrest of a 55-year-old drug kingpin, Mohammed Ali Abubakar alias Bello Karama, and three other members of the syndicate: Celestina Emmanuel Yayock, Abdulbasit Adamu Sagagi, and Jazuli Kabir. Charges have since been filed against them, alongside complicit airline officials, for masterminding the trafficking of the illicit substances.
Armed with the investigation’s outcome, charges filed, and concrete evidence of the pilgrims’ innocence, Gen. Marwa engaged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo SAN and his Saudi counterpart at multiple levels and locations, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that no Nigerian should suffer unjustly in a foreign land.
The NDLEA has now confirmed that following a series of engagements and diplomatic efforts, one of the three detained Nigerians was released on Sunday, 14th September 2025, while the remaining two regained their freedom on Monday, 15th September 2025.
In a statement, NDLEA praised the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, for his quick response, cooperation, and unflinching commitment throughout the matter, which played a pivotal role in securing justice for the innocent Nigerians.
The Agency also reaffirmed its resolve to dismantle criminal networks that exploit Nigeria’s aviation system for illicit trade while assuring the Nigerian public that robust measures are being strengthened to prevent a recurrence.
This landmark resolution reflects the success of inter-agency collaboration, the vigilance of NDLEA, the decisive support of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and the unyielding commitment of the Federal Government to the protection of its citizens worldwide.
