The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians against accepting parcels, luggage or other items from people for delivery, following the discovery of illicit drugs hidden inside a keg of palm oil destined for Saudi Arabia.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, issued the warning in a post on X, titled “Public Alert”, alongside a video showing NDLEA operatives extracting substances wrapped in polythene from the keg.
According to Babafemi, the consignment was handed to a woman travelling to Saudi Arabia, who was instructed to deliver it to another person upon arrival.
However, NDLEA operatives intercepted the woman at the airport and discovered the concealed drugs before she could proceed with the shipment.
Babafemi cautioned Nigerians against agreeing to transport packages on behalf of others, regardless of their relationship with the individuals making such requests.
“We’ll never be tired of repeating this warning: Never accept any parcel or luggage from anyone or on behalf of anyone, no matter how close you are!” he wrote.
The NDLEA spokesperson warned that the woman could have faced severe consequences under Saudi Arabian law if the drugs had escaped detection in Nigeria and been discovered by authorities in the destination country.
“She’ll have been counting her days on earth by now if this was discovered in Saudi,” Babafemi said.
He urged travellers to prioritise their safety and freedom rather than risk legal consequences out of a desire to please friends, relatives or acquaintances.
“Choose to offend the person than go to jail. BE WISE!” he added.
Babafemi also called on Nigerians to circulate the warning among their friends and family members to prevent unsuspecting travellers from being used as couriers for illicit drugs.
The agency has repeatedly cautioned members of the public against carrying packages whose contents they cannot independently verify, warning that drug traffickers may exploit trust and personal relationships to move illegal substances across borders.
The latest warning underscores the risks travellers face when accepting items from others without knowing what they contain, particularly when crossing international borders where drug trafficking offences can attract severe penalties.
