The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled a sophisticated drug trafficking syndicate that was exploiting the Hajj pilgrimage as a cover to smuggle cocaine into Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA Spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the operation began with the arrest of two suspected drug couriers at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on May 26, 2025.

The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado, were apprehended as they prepared to board Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 940 to Jeddah. Acting on intelligence, NDLEA officers subjected the two passengers to full body scans, which confirmed they had ingested illegal substances.

"They were subsequently placed on excretion observation, during which they excreted 45 wraps of cocaine each," Babafemi stated. "The total number of pellets retrieved was 90, weighing approximately 1.04 kilograms."

Syndicate Leaders Arrested

Following the initial arrests, the NDLEA conducted follow-up operations that led to the capture of three additional suspects identified as the masterminds behind the operation.

"Investigation soon unraveled their sponsors as leaders of a notorious drug trafficking network, which specialises 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 NDLEA spokesperson revealed.

The syndicate's modus operandi involved sponsoring individuals for the Hajj pilgrimage with the hidden agenda of using them as drug mules to transport cocaine into Saudi Arabia, a country known for its strict anti-drug laws and severe penalties for drug trafficking offenses.

This operation marks another significant breakthrough in the NDLEA's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking networks operating in Nigeria, particularly those exploiting religious pilgrimages as cover for their illegal activities.

The agency has not yet disclosed further details about potential charges or court appearances for the five suspects currently in custody.