The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a strong public advisory to air travellers, warning them against the risks of carrying luggage that they did not personally pack or fully inspect.
The agency emphasized that individuals found with illicit substances will be held accountable, regardless of their awareness of the contents.
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA‘s Director of Media and Advocacy, sounded the warning in a statement released via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday. He stressed the importance of travellers exercising utmost caution and responsibility for all items in their possession, especially while traveling by air.
The advisory comes in the wake of a recent incident in which an unsuspecting traveller was arrested at the airport while attempting to smuggle narcotic substances.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted that the luggage containing the illicit drugs was not originally his. According to Babafemi, the individual confessed that someone else had given him the bag, and he had not personally packed it.
“Please listen carefully to the suspect in this video,” Babafemi urged in the post. “He clearly states that he did not pack the bag he was caught with—he said someone else handed it to him.”
Despite the suspect’s claim of ignorance, Babafemi reiterated the NDLEA’s uncompromising stance on drug-related offences. He warned that lack of knowledge will not be accepted as a defence in drug trafficking cases. “As we have consistently maintained, never agree to carry any luggage unless you are completely sure of its contents,” he cautioned.
He further stressed: “If you are found in possession of illicit substances—even if you claim to be unaware—you could still be prosecuted. If you are not complicit or an accessory, the NDLEA will uncover the truth, but that doesn’t exempt you from initial suspicion and investigation.”
The agency urged all travellers to remain vigilant and to take full responsibility for their belongings at all times. Accepting items from acquaintances or strangers without verifying their contents could result in severe legal consequences, including arrest, detention, and prosecution.
The NDLEA concluded its advisory by reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking and its determination to clamp down on both traffickers and enablers of such criminal activities.