The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a public alert regarding a new scam targeting unsuspecting citizens. Scammers are impersonating NDLEA officers and contacting individuals, especially those with loved ones abroad, to falsely inform them of their relatives’ arrest at Nigerian international airports for drug-related offenses.
According to NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the scammers instill panic by claiming that the arrested individuals are in NDLEA custody and then demand millions of naira for their release. Babafemi revealed that the agency has foiled numerous attempts by concerned family members who contacted official NDLEA channels for assistance or verification.
Recently, the NDLEA investigated a case where a Nigerian man based in the US was falsely portrayed as being arrested at the Lagos airport. Despite circulating audio recordings and images, the investigation confirmed that neither the individual nor the purported NDLEA officer involved in the conversation were linked to the agency. The NDLEA stressed that the individual in the photo is not in their custody, emphasizing that the incident is yet another ploy by scammers.
The NDLEA advises affected family members not to fall victim to these fraudulent schemes and withhold any financial transactions. Furthermore, Nigerians with relatives abroad are urged to refrain from discussing travel plans openly to prevent criminal exploitation by such deceptive schemes.
For assistance or clarification regarding similar incidents, individuals are encouraged to contact the NDLEA through the provided contact lines: +2347064670026 and +2348033326327.
The NDLEA remains committed to safeguarding the public against scams and maintaining the integrity of its operations.
