Two Nigerians Arrested in Thailand for Attempting to Cross Border With Fake Passports

Immigration officers in Nong Khai, Thailand, have arrested two Nigerian men for allegedly attempting to cross into Laos using forged travel documents. The incident occurred on Monday, October 16, at the Thai–Laos Friendship Bridge.

The men, identified as Katego Ofentse Makabane and Wayne Junior Shinbambo, both aged 35, presented South African passports while trying to enter Laos. They claimed they were heading to the South African Embassy in Vientiane. However, immigration officials detected inconsistencies in their documents during routine checks.

Upon further interrogation, the suspects admitted that the passports were fake and confirmed that they were Nigerian nationals. One of the men said he initially entered Thailand through Phuket Airport, while the other reported arriving via Padang Besar.

According to their statements, a friend living in Thailand provided the falsified passports after their original Nigerian passports had expired.