The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered and dismantled a criminal syndicate specialising in sponsoring Hajj pilgrims as drug couriers to Saudi Arabia, arresting three key cartel leaders in Kano.
The kingpins, Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba, were apprehended in follow-up operations after two intending pilgrims were arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, with ninety cocaine pellets.
According to a statement released by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the two suspects, Ibrahim Mustapha and Muhammad Shifado, were intercepted on May 26 during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 940 to Jeddah.
