Don’t Carry Bags You Didn’t Pack, NDLEA Warns Travellers 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a renewed and urgent advisory to all travelers, cautioning them against accepting or transporting luggage they did not personally pack or whose contents they cannot verify.

The warning, delivered in a public statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, underscores the growing threat posed by drug trafficking syndicates who prey on unsuspecting travelers often using them as mules to smuggle narcotics across borders.

“Don’t carry any luggage you didn’t pack yourself, and never agree to help someone else carry their bag without knowing exactly what’s inside,” Babafemi emphasized. “This is not just a matter of personal caution; it is a matter of life and liberty.”

According to the NDLEA, recent arrests at major international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt have shown a troubling trend where individuals particularly young Nigerians and students were apprehended with illicit substances hidden in luggage they claimed belonged to others.

“These traffickers exploit goodwill,” Babafemi added. “Some offer money, others appeal to sympathy —but the consequences are grave. Ignorance is not a defense in drug law violations.”

The agency further urged families and communities to sensitize their loved ones, especially those traveling abroad for studies or work, to be vigilant and prioritize safety over sentiment.

NDLEA also reaffirmed its commitment to intensified surveillance at Nigeria’s airports, land borders, and seaports to clamp down on trafficking networks and protect the innocent.

Travelers are reminded that drug offenses carry stiff penalties, including life imprisonment or even death in some foreign countries.

“This warning is to save lives,” Babafemi said. “The difference between freedom and a lifetime behind bars could be as simple as saying no to a suspicious bag.”