The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has raised serious concerns over the alarming rise in the use of illegal courier and logistics companies to transport hard drugs and firearms across the country.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Akure, the General Manager, Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department of NIPOST in Ondo State, Mr Oludotun Sounde, revealed that several unlicensed courier operators have turned their platforms into channels for smuggling illicit substances and dangerous weapons.
Sounde warned that the activities of these unregistered courier firms now pose a grave threat to national security and the economy, noting that many of them operate from makeshift locations such as car parks and private residences, offering cheap but highly risky delivery services to unsuspecting Nigerians.
“These unlicensed courier companies lack the infrastructure for safe and secure delivery. Worse still, they operate without any regulatory oversight or accountability, creating a major security loophole,” Sounde said.
According to him, such outfits not only endanger public safety but also compromise the integrity of the nation’s logistics system, making it difficult to trace goods or hold anyone accountable in cases of criminal activity.
“Using an illegal courier service is like going to a quack doctor. It could also cost you dearly. They expose customers to loss, theft, and even prosecution if illicit goods are found in their parcels,” he warned.
Sounde disclosed that NIPOST has commenced a crackdown on errant operators, sealing off two illegal courier firms in recent weeks and confiscating three motorcycles used in their operations. He further revealed that one of the unlicensed operators was arrested for transporting firearms and narcotics.
The NIPOST official urged logistics companies to obtain operational licences from the Postmaster General in line with national regulations. He stressed that this would ensure proper vetting, security checks, and adherence to safety standards.
He also appealed to members of the public to patronize only verified courier services, warning that falling for cheap and untraceable offers could have dangerous consequences.
“Properly regulated courier operations are not just about efficiency, but about national security and economic protection,” Sounde added.
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