The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Simonpeter, a 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, was caught attempting to smuggle heroin worth over N3.1 billion concealed within backpacks inside two suitcases.
Simonpeter had embarked on his journey from Thailand on October 3, 2024, flying with Qatar Airways.
After spending two days in Doha, he arrived in Lagos on October 5.
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However, his luggage was initially routed to Accra, Ghana—his intended final destination.
He later requested the airline to reroute the bags to Lagos in an effort to evade security checks at the Nigerian airport.
The NDLEA, acting on a tip-off, intercepted him during the collection of his luggage. A search of his two suitcases revealed a cunning smuggling attempt: six backpacks, each with a hidden compartment where heroin was stitched into the fabric. The total haul weighed 13.30 kilograms of heroin.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, confirmed the arrest and revealed that Simonpeter confessed to being offered $7,000 to deliver the drugs. Watch the detailed news as reported by TVC News:
Two parcels were meant for delivery in Lagos, with the remaining four intended for Accra.
NDLEA has intensified their crackdown on drug trafficking through Nigeria’s airports. They have tighten security measures to prevent smugglers from exploiting international travel routes.
