Nigeria: 'I Had 18 Phones in My Bag' - Dele Momodu Recalls Near Detention At UK Airport

What the report says

Veteran Nigerian journalist and publisher Dele Momodu has described a close call with detention at London’s Heathrow Airport after security officers found 18 phones in his bag. The account, reported by Vanguard and republished by AllAfrica, surfaced in a video that spread on social media and drew attention because of the unusually large number of devices.

According to Momodu, the incident happened while he was travelling to South Africa. He said airport officials questioned him about his work after the phones were discovered and briefly treated the case as a possible customs issue involving commercial quantities. Momodu said he identified himself as a journalist and was asked to provide proof.

In the version reported by Vanguard, Momodu explained that he used contacts stored on an iPad to support his claim, including numbers associated with prominent figures such as Queen Elizabeth II and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. He said the exchange continued at customs before officials allowed him to proceed, and he said he nearly missed his flight.

The episode highlights how security screening at major international airports can escalate when passengers carry large numbers of electronic devices. It also reflects Momodu’s long public profile in Nigerian media and his habit of emphasizing the high-level contacts he has built over decades in journalism.