|By Chinwendu Nwani
The Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has exposed and thwarted a shocking attempt to transport the corpse of a one-year-old baby through a courier service from Abuja to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Coordinator of NURTW, Area 1, Garki, Abuja, Ibrahim Bako, disclosed the disturbing incident during an interview in the nation’s capital. He revealed that the suspect concealed the baby’s remains inside a parcel and attempted to dispatch it to Gwagwalada, a satellite town within the FCT.
Bako explained that the interception formed part of several security breakthroughs recorded by union members who are duly registered to operate courier and logistics services. He stated that beyond the recent discovery, NURTW officials had previously seized consignments of cocaine, other hard drugs, and even two rifles hidden inside parcels meant for delivery.
According to him, all contraband items and the suspects involved were immediately handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution. He added that some of the suspected offenders are currently serving jail terms.
The NURTW official stressed that only transporters registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and licensed by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) through its Courier Regulatory Department are legally permitted to operate courier and logistics services.
He warned members of the public against bypassing official procedures by handing parcels to drivers outside designated offices in a bid to cut costs.
“Some individuals avoid our offices and prefer giving items directly to drivers for a token. That is improper and often suspicious,” Bako said.
He maintained that union members enforce strict scrutiny of parcels. Whenever there is suspicion of contraband—such as hard drugs or illegal arms—the sender is compelled to open the package for inspection. If cleared, the parcel is resealed and forwarded to its destination. If illegal items are discovered, authorities are alerted immediately.
Also speaking, General Manager of Jokimna Motor Limited, Jabi, Chike Okoro, underscored the company’s commitment to safeguarding customers’ goods. He noted that corporate transport companies deploy structured security checks to prevent tampering and criminal exploitation of logistics channels.
Okoro cautioned that many victims fall prey to criminal schemes when they patronize roadside drivers because of cheaper transport rates, often at the expense of security and accountability.
The latest interception reinforces growing concerns over the misuse of courier and transport networks for criminal activities in the FCT, while highlighting the need for stricter compliance with regulatory frameworks governing logistics operations.
