….. Face multiple charges for trafficking illicit substances to Jeddah as Marwa engages Saudi counterpart on the innocence of detained pilgrims

A 55-year-old drug kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar alias Bello Karama and five members of a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano have been taken into custody by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery that they are behind the shipment of illicit substances for which three innocent Nigerians who went on lesser hajj pilgrimage to the holy land were being detained in Jeddah for alleged drug trafficking.

According to a press release on Monday 25th August 2025, NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, this was disclosed at a press conference addressed by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi along with the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo, at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday 25th August 2025.

Explaining how the syndicate implicated three unsuspecting pilgrims in drug trafficking allegations in Saudi, the NDLEA said following receipt of complaints by its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) from three Nigerian families over the detention of their family members in Saudi Arabia after the completion of their lesser hajj pilgrimage on an allegation of trafficking in illicit substances into Saudi Arabia, an investigation was launched to unravel what happened.

The Agency said the three Nigerians detained in Saudi: Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi; Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu; and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq boarded an Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 which departed Kano on 6th August 2025 to Jeddah enroute Addis-Ababa were unfortunate to be tagged with six additional bags not belonging to them, three of which were found to contain illicit drugs.

“Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi while embarking on this flight, only checked in one luggage weighing 9 kilograms on the 6th day of August, 2025 which incidentally did not arrive with her to her destination. Her husband was only informed of the arrival of their luggage on 16th August, a day before the date of their departure from Jeddah which was to be on the 17th day of August, 2025. Following this allegation, she was detained in Jeddah and is still in detention till date. The case of the other two persons followed the same pattern and were reported to the Agency shortly after Maryam Hussain’s complaint”, the Agency stated.

It revealed its swift investigation revealed that “the bags containing illicit drug substances intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in against the complainants’ names by members of a criminal syndicate operating in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport without the knowledge of the three complainants.

“All the bags were traced to one Ali Abubakar Mohammed (aka Bello Karama), the leader of the syndicate who checked them into the Ethiopian Airline on the 6th day of August 2025, the same day the three complainants travelled on board the same airline from Kano enroute Addis-Ababa to Jeddah. It is interesting to note that the said Ali Abubakar Mohammed who also travelled to Jeddah on the same date boarded Egypt Air rather than Ethiopian Airline where he checked in his contaminated bags.

“The bags were tagged and checked in by members of staff of Skyway Aviation Handling Company who are also members of the criminal syndicate, to the names of the three complainants secretly and without their knowledge or consent. The bags illegally tagged against the complainants’ names are the ones intercepted in Saudi Arabia and found to contain the illicit drug substances.
“For the above reasons, the three complainants were arrested and detained for crimes they had no knowledge of. In the light of the forgoing, and the evidence gathered by the Agency in the course of our investigation, it is clear that Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi and two others who are being detained in Saudi are victims of circumstance, implicated by the activities of a criminal syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.”

The Agency said six members of the syndicate are already in its custody with four already charged to court awaiting arraignment including Ali Abubakar Mohammed (aka Bello Karama); Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock. “They have all made confessional statements. While Ali had admitted bringing in seven luggage, Celestina confessed checking in two of them for a fee of N100,000 and another suspect Jazuli Kabir who checked in two other bags admitted collecting N100,000 for the dirty job, while Ali travelled with the other three bags on Egypt Air. We have the receipts for the transfer of N200,000 from Ali to Celestina who in turn transferred N100,000 to Jazuli.”

It said based on the outcome of its investigations it is spearheading a dialogue with the authority of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia to see that the three innocent Nigerians are exonerated.

“As a result, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency is presently on his way to attend an International Drug Conference which will be attended by a delegation from the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), who he intends to meet one on one, to present our findings and seek the cooperation of our Saudi counterparts in ensuring that Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, and the two others who remain stranded in the Kingdom, get the justice they deserve.

If required, the CCEO is also prepared to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia personally to pursue this matter to its conclusion”, Babafemi stated while assuring that Nigeria will never abandon its citizens, especially when the facts clearly show that they are victims of criminal conspiracies.

The Agency assured the public of its commitment to fight the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country adding that “while there are no sacred cows in our enforcement duties which can be attested to by the number of high-profile arrests, seizures, convictions and forfeitures recorded, it will not support the innocent being punished for crimes they did not commit.”

“While investigations continue, the CCEO will like to appreciate the Hon. Min of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Managing Director of FAAN, the AVSEC and the DSS for their collaboration on this case and for the interim measures that have been approved in MAKIA to prevent a reoccurrence of this type of situation”, he stated.

In every functioning democracy, the role of the police is indispensable. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is no exception. It stands as the frontline institution responsible for the protection of lives and property, the enforcement of laws, and the maintenance of peace and order.

Yet, in recent years, the Force has increasingly become the subject of relentless falsehoods, distortions, and sensationalized narratives—often propagated by individuals and groups who place personal agendas above truth.

This incessant negative portrayal is not only unfair but also dangerously undermines the morale of officers who risk their lives daily for national security. It is disheartening that whenever a crime occurs, sections of the media and social commentators are quick to attribute blame to the police without verification, while their countless sacrifices and successes are barely acknowledged.

The narrative of “oppression” and “corruption” repeatedly tied to the NPF has become a one-size-fits-all accusation, even in situations where due process is being followed. Too often, law enforcement actions are deliberately misrepresented to fit a false storyline of abuse.

This reckless trend erodes public trust, fuels unnecessary hostility against officers, and weakens cooperation between the police and the communities they serve.

To be clear, no institution is perfect. Like every police organization worldwide, the NPF has its challenges—ranging from underfunding to inadequate equipment and manpower. However, the blanket demonization of the Force is neither a solution nor a fair reflection of reality.

Where misconduct occurs, it must be addressed through established disciplinary mechanisms, not through trial by social media or the reckless branding of the entire institution as oppressive.

The time has come for a shift in national discourse. Citizens, civil society, and the media have a responsibility to scrutinize facts carefully before amplifying allegations. Constructive criticism must replace character assassination.

Balanced reporting must supersede sensationalism. And recognition must be given to the countless officers who act with integrity and courage in the line of duty.

Nigeria cannot afford a weakened police force undermined by false narratives. Security is a shared responsibility, and partnership between the public and the police is essential. It is therefore imperative to silence the chorus of misinformation and replace it with dialogue, accountability, and mutual respect.

The Nigeria Police deserves reform, support, and collaboration—not endless vilification. It is time to stop the incessant false narration and begin building the police force our nation truly needs.

The South West Youth Alliance has refuted a recent publication by Sahara Reporters alleging that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, expressed frustration with the platform’s investigations into the Nigeria Police Force’s ongoing promotion exercise.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Director, Adenike Ajanlekoko, the group described the report as “unfounded and malicious,” stressing that the IGP has never expressed frustration over Sahara Reporters’ publications, nor interfered with or monitored any financial inflows allegedly linked to the platform.

The group further dismissed claims that the IGP and senior police officers were angered by activist Omoyele Sowore’s alleged refusal to attend meetings with police authorities.

It emphasized that IGP Egbetokun never proposed or demanded any meeting with Sowore and that the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership has not engaged in harassment or intimidation against him. 

According to the Alliance, the report was a deliberate attempt to discredit the professional and reform-driven leadership of the IGP.

“Under IGP Egbetokun, the Police Force has remained committed to transparency, professionalism, and respect for human rights. There is no room for corruption or impunity in today’s police administration,” the statement read.

The South West Youth Alliance urged the public to disregard Sahara Reporters’ claims, reaffirming its confidence in Egbetokun’s capacity to lead the Force towards excellence, accountability, and effective service delivery.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Sokoto Operations Office (SOO) have confirmed their response to a canoe accident that occurred on Friday, August 22, 2025, in Garin-Faji, Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to NEMA, 30 persons were involved in the mishap. Twenty-one survivors, including two canoe operators, were rescued, while six bodies were recovered from the river. Three persons remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The agency noted that the recovered bodies had already been buried in line with Islamic rites before the joint response team arrived in the community.

The rescue effort was carried out by NEMA and SOO in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Red Cross, Sokoto State Ministry of Works, the member representing Sabon-Birni at the State House of Assembly, as well as local government officials and traditional leaders.

NEMA has urged relevant regulatory authorities to strictly enforce safety standards on waterways, particularly the mandatory use of life jackets by passengers and crew to reduce risks during transportation.

The Sokoto Operations Office said it is closely monitoring the ongoing search and rescue operations and will continue to provide updates on the incident.

The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with INTERPOL, has successfully repatriated a high-profile fugitive, Mr. Dai Qisheng, to the People’s Republic of China.

The operation, coordinated through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, was carried out with support from INTERPOL NCB Beijing and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria. It marks a significant breakthrough in the global fight against transnational organized crime.

Mr. Qisheng, a notorious gang leader wanted in Guizhou Province, China, for leading violent organized crimes, fled his country in 2024 after a warrant was issued by the Public Security Bureau of Zhijin County. He was tracked and apprehended by INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives in Abuja on 8th August 2025. The fugitive was repatriated to Beijing on 15th August 2025 under the framework of police-to-police cooperation facilitated by INTERPOL.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, said the successful repatriation sends a strong message that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for fugitives. He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships through intelligence-sharing and operational collaboration.

“The arrest and repatriation of Dai Qisheng is proof that borders will never be barriers to justice,” the IGP stated.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, 24th August 2025.

….. Recover Arms and NSCDC Uniforms

The Nasarawa State Police Command has recorded another major success in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of a dreaded kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, Mohammed Bammi, popularly known as “Zomo”.

Zomo, a native of Yelwa village, Doma Local Government Area, had been on the police wanted list for his involvement in multiple kidnappings and robberies across Doma and neighboring communities. He was apprehended during a clearance operation at Doka forest, where operatives of Doma Division tracked him down.

According to a press release signed Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the suspect attempted to resist arrest by attacking officers with a knife but was swiftly subdued. Interrogation led operatives to his hideout in Alagye village, where the following items were recovered:

One pump-action rifle (Breech No. P331551); One locally made AK-47 rifle with magazine; Two live ammunition and five cartridges; One knife and a rope and Two Tecno handsets

A pair of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uniforms.

In a separate operation, undercover operatives attached to Awe Area Command stormed Gidan Taku village in Wuse Chiefdom, Awe LGA, arresting five members of a notorious 10-man kidnapping syndicate.

The suspects were named as: Michael Ato; Richard Ato; Alom Bernard; Hangior Ato and Jacob Hunde a.k.a. Okocha

Police investigations revealed that the gang was responsible for the abduction of Blessing John, a resident of Gidan Makaranta village, Wuse. Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Further inquiries linked the group to the April 2024 abduction of Blessing John’s husband, John Ada Kuje, for whom ransom was collected before his release.

The Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, commended the officers for their gallantry and professionalism, urging them to sustain the crackdown on criminal gangs until the state is completely rid of kidnappers and armed robbers.

All suspects are currently in the custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation and prosecution.