Drug kingpin, 5 others arrested by NDLEA operatives over Saudi pilgrims’ detention
Drug kingpin, 5 others arrested by NDLEA operatives over Saudi pilgrims’ detention
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin and five members of his syndicate at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The arrest followed the detention of three innocent Nigerians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after illicit drug consignments were secretly tagged to their names.
The Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA, Femi Babafemi disclosed this during at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.
Babafemi who addressed the press alongside the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr Abdul Ibrahim, and the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mrs Theresa Asuquo, said that the case came to light after complaint from families of three pilgrims to the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa.
He explained that the families of the detained pilgrims had complained to NDLEA chairman that their relatives had been detained in Jeddah for alleged drug trafficking during their lesser hajj.
He said the detainees, Mrs Maryam Abdullahi, Mrs Abdullahi Aminu and Mr Abdulhamid Saddiq, travelled aboard Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 from Kano on Aug. 6 to Jeddah via Addis Ababa.
According to him, the suspects were implicated when six additional bags not belonging to them were checked in against their names, with three of the bags later found to contain illicit drugs.
Babafemi explained that Abdullahi had only checked in one 9kg bag which failed to arrive with her in Jeddah.
He said that the luggage was later delivered on Aug. 16, a day before her scheduled return on Aug. 17, when she was detained, adding that same pattern applied to the two other complainants.
”NDLEA’s swift investigation revealed that the bags intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in against the complainants’ names by members of a criminal syndicate operating at MAKIA, without their knowledge.
”The bags were traced to the syndicate leader, who checked them into Ethiopian Airline on Aug. 6, while he himself travelled to Jeddah on Egypt Air with three other bags,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesman said that the bags were illegally tagged by staff of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company, who was part of the syndicate.
”The six suspects are in NDLEA custody with four of them already charged to court and awaiting arraignment.
According to Babafemi, the leader of the syndicate admitted to bringing in seven bags, while one of teh suspects confessed to checking in two of them for a fee of N100, 000, and another admitted to checking in two bags for the same fee.
Babafemi said that the NDLEA had also obtained receipts showing the transfer of N200, 000 from the syndicate leader to the two suspects.
He added that the agency was already engaging with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia to secure justice for the three pilgrims.
”The NDLEA chairman is scheduled to attend an international drug conference where GDNC officials will be present.
“He intends to present the findings of our investigation and, if necessary travel personally to Saudi Arabia to pursue the release of the detainees,” he said.
The NDLEA director of media and advocacy however assured Nigerians that the agency would not allow its citizens to suffer unjustly for crimes they did not commit.
He added that the agency remained committed to tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria, stressing that while high-profile arrests and convictions continued, innocent persons must not be punished.
He commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their collaboration and interim measures introduced at MAKIA to prevent a recurrence. (NAN)
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Governor mourns as unknown persons kill Woman and six Children in her residence
Governor mourns as unknown persons kill Woman and six Children in her residence
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has expressed deep sorrow, over the brutal killing of a woman, Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters of the state.
The governor described the incident as barbaric, senseless, and a grave assault on human dignity.
In a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mr Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday, Gov. Yusuf extended his condolences to the bereaved’s family, the people of Dorayi Chiranchi, and the entire Kano State.
He prayed that Allah grants the departed souls, eternal rest and gives their loved ones the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
Meanwhile, the governor vowed that his administration would ensure that perpetrators of the tragic incident, are brought to justice.
He directed the Kano State Police Command to immediately hunt down the perpetrators and ensure they are arrested and prosecuted.
According to the statement, Gov. Yusuf also ordered the Kano Neighborhood Corps, to intensify patrols and community surveillance across vulnerable areas, to prevent a recurrence of such tragedy.
He called on residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and promptly report suspicious activities, while assuring that the government remains committed to protecting lives and property.( NAN)
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‘This bronze feels like gold’, President Tinubu hails Super Eagles’ AFCON third place victory
‘This bronze feels like gold’, President Tinubu hails Super Eagles’ AFCON third place victory
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles for winning the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Tinubu described the achievement as a “bronze that feels like gold,” praising the team’s resilience and fighting spirit.
“This bronze medal surely feels good like gold. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles and our national team players,” the President said.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday in Abuja.
The Super Eagles defeated Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, via penalties after regulation time ended in a draw.
Tinubu commended the team for overcoming the disappointment of their semi-final loss to host nation, Morocco, on Wednesday.
He said the players demonstrated determination, persistence and the can-do spirit for which Nigeria is known.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off,” Tinubu said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bronze medal is Nigeria’s ninth in AFCON history.
Nigeria has now won the AFCON title three times, finished runners-up four times and claimed third place on record nine occasions.
Tinubu said Nigerians would be proud as the team receives their bronze medals on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco,” he said. (NAN)
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Governor, Emir, over 3 million crowd gather for Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud
Governor, Emir, over 3 million crowd gather for Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud
An estimated 3 million followers of Tijaniyya Islamic Sect from within and outside the country, on Saturday, converged on Katsina for the celebration of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud, 2026.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which took place at Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina, was organised by the “Majma’u Ahbab Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass”.
The Chairman, organising committee, Sheikh Muhammad Hadi-Balarabe, said that they anticipated about 4 million guests from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as West and North African countries.
NAN gathered that almost all hotel rooms in Katsina metropolis were occupied by those who came from far places, the situation made some residents to provide their unoccupied houses for their visitors as a demonstration of hospitality.
Those who could not afford to lodge in hotel rooms slept in the stadium in spite of the cold weather.
Before 9a.m. of Saturday, the stadium had already filled to capacity, both the seats and pitch were occupied by people, while all available surrounding spaces inside the stadium were later occupied by people.
The dual carriage road linking to the venue from the WTC roundabout up to Barhin roundabout was filled up by people.
NAN also observed that the event presented opportunities for traders, especially those selling food, water, soft drinks, herbal medicine, clothing materials, books, among others to make brisk businesses.
Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru-Bauchi, thanked the Katsina State Government for hosting the historic event and prayed Allah to bring lasting peace, stability and prosperity to the state, Northern Nigeria and the country in general.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, urged Muslims to continue to stand firm in obeying the commandments of their creator.
He advised them to intensify efforts in seeking Allah’s forgiveness, follow the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), endeavour to seek for knowledge, and engage in business activities to become self reliant.
Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina, thanked the organisers for choosing his state to host the 2026 Maulud.
He appreciated the scholars for offerings prayers for peace and stability in the state and the country at large.
Radda revealed that with such prayers, peace was gradually returning to the state and urged them to sustain the prayers for the overall betterment of the state and Nigeria.
Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ eldest son, Sheikh Mahi Ibrahim-Nyass, represented by his younger brother, Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim-Nyass, prayed Allah to repose the soul of the revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman-Bauchi, who passed away some months ago.
He urged the Muslims across the globe to continue to be united, love one-another and uphold the sect firmly.
A special prayer was also offered for Katsina, Nigeria and the leaders. (NAN)
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