NDLEA Warns The Public About New Scam

The NDLEA has warned the public about scammers posing as its officers.
These scammers demand money for release, but the NDLEA emphasized they are not involved.
Individuals facing such situations should contact NDLEA’s hotline numbers for assistance or clarification.

Eko Hot Blog reports that The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Saturday cautioned the public, particularly individuals with relatives overseas, about a fresh tactic employed by scammers posing as its officers.

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The NDLEA disclosed that the new scheme entails scammers contacting unsuspecting citizens to notify them of their relatives’ arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, or any other international airport in Nigeria for carrying illicit drugs upon arrival in the country.

This information was conveyed in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy.

He stated that after throwing the family members into fear, they then demand millions of naira to facilitate the release of such persons from custody.

Babafemi said: “We have thwarted a number of such bids in the past when the family members called the Agency’s official contacts for help or clarification.

“At the moment, there is one of such scenarios the Agency has just investigated. In this case, the picture of a Nigerian man based in the US is being circulated with an audio of a purported NDLEA officer negotiating the payment of N5 million with a female relative for the release of the US-based Nigerian man purportedly arrested at the Lagos airport on Friday 22nd March upon his arrival with a ‘contraband”

“Just like in previous instances, our investigation has also shown that the current incident is the work of scammers. No NDLEA officer is involved in the audio conversation and the person whose photo is attached to the audio recording being circulated is not in our custody at MMIA or any of our Commands either as at yesterday or any other day.”

The NDLEA spokesperson emphasized that family members affected by this situation should refrain from giving money to scammers.

He also encouraged Nigerians with relatives abroad to refrain from sharing their travel plans to prevent criminal elements from exploiting them for nefarious purposes.