By Parrot Newspaper 
NDLEA Arrests Would-Be Pilgrims with Cocaine: Hajj Route Becomes Drug Cartel Gateway
By Ricky Awodi, Investigative Correspondent
Abuja — In a revelation that has jolted both religious communities and security agencies, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two individuals who attempted to smuggle cocaine into Saudi Arabia while posing as Muslim pilgrims heading for the annual Hajj.
The announcement, made by NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), came during the opening of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. The suspects, Marwa disclosed, had swallowed pellets of cocaine and intended to board a flight to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the cover of religious devotion.
“Just a few days ago, we arrested two would-be pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. They swallowed cocaine, pretending to be going to the country to pray,” Marwa said.
A Pattern Emerges
This incident, disturbing as it is, fits a growing pattern that experts say has been largely overlooked. The Hajj pilgrimage, which sees tens of thousands of Nigerians travel to Saudi Arabia annually, is increasingly being exploited by drug trafficking networks as a covert export channel.
Security analysts believe these networks are targeting low-income or unsuspecting Nigerians with offers of free or subsidized Hajj sponsorships, only to use them as drug mules. In many cases, the supposed pilgrims are unaware of the illicit contents of their luggage—or have been manipulated into believing their actions are inconsequential.
Marwa recounted a previous case involving three Nigerian women who were duped into becoming drug couriers during the 2022 Hajj season. “They were promised free visas and tickets. Just before departure, they were handed small bags allegedly meant for a relative in Saudi Arabia. Unbeknownst to them, cocaine had been sewn into the linings of those bags,” he explained.
Sacred Journey, Sinister Mission
The use of Hajj for drug trafficking is particularly alarming due to the pilgrimage’s religious sanctity. For many, the journey represents a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual obligation, governed by strict ethical and religious codes. The hijacking of this spiritual journey for criminal purposes is seen by many Islamic clerics as not just illegal but deeply sacrilegious.
Imam Shuaib Idris, a religious scholar and cleric based in Abuja, told Parrot Newspaper: “This is not just a crime against the state—it is a crime against Islam. To use the sacred duty of Hajj to conceal evil is a direct insult to Allah and the Prophet.”
NDLEA’s Expanding War on Drugs
Despite facing funding and logistical challenges, the NDLEA says it is doubling down on its operations under the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021–2025. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, the agency recorded the arrest of 31,334 drug offenders, secured 6,839 convictions, and seized over 4.3 million kilograms of illicit substances.
Notably, 426 hectares of cannabis farmland were destroyed in coordinated raids across several states.
In terms of rehabilitation and prevention, the agency says 19,033 individuals have received counselling or treatment through its facilities and partner programs—though independent health experts argue that this figure remains a drop in the ocean compared to Nigeria’s estimated drug-dependent population.
Legislation in the Works
Marwa expressed optimism about the recently passed amendment to the NDLEA Act by the National Assembly. The proposed law, currently awaiting President Tinubu’s assent, aims to expand the agency’s enforcement powers, enable more aggressive asset seizures, and close legal loopholes that traffickers currently exploit.
The Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), represented at the event by Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution, confirmed that the ministry is supporting the legislative reform and working to ensure the Act aligns with broader criminal justice reforms.
“We are also enhancing frameworks for managing proceeds of drug crime, which is crucial to disabling the financial machinery of trafficking cartels,” he said.
Pilgrimage Screening Under Scrutiny
The arrests have now triggered fresh scrutiny on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the need for tighter collaboration with NDLEA, Immigration, and airport authorities.
Security insiders warn that if screening processes are not overhauled, criminal syndicates will continue to exploit Nigeria’s religious pilgrimage infrastructure. “The tragedy here is that some victims don’t even know they’re couriers until it’s too late,” a senior NDLEA officer confided.
There are now calls for the integration of advanced scanning equipment, psychological profiling, and inter-agency intelligence sharing in all pilgrimage processing centers.
A Call for Awareness
The NDLEA is urging faith-based institutions, community leaders, and travel agencies to stay alert and report any suspicious activities surrounding Hajj travel offers. The agency is also advising prospective pilgrims to avoid accepting items for delivery without thorough verification.
“This is not just about drugs,” Marwa warned. “This is about national security, public health, and the soul of our religious values. When criminals hijack Hajj, they not only traffic substances—they traffic trust, faith, and the moral compass of our society.”