The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a concealed sum of $193,000 in cash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The money, hidden inside a yogurt carton, was discovered by officers of the Federal Capital Territory Command during a routine baggage check.
In a statement on Friday, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed the interception, attributing it to intelligence gathering and the vigilance of customs officials.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, arrived in Nigeria on an Ethiopian Airlines flight (Flight 951) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on the operation, the Customs Area Controller overseeing the command, Olumide Adebisi, explained that officers acted based on credible intelligence, leading to a detailed inspection of the suspect’s luggage.
“Around the early hours of today, we received an intelligence report, which proved very helpful. This afternoon, one Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, who boarded Ethiopian Airlines from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was found concealing a total sum of $193,000 inside a carton of yogurt,” Adebisi revealed.
Highlighting the legal implications of the suspect’s actions, Adebisi referenced both the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which mandate that travelers carrying more than $10,000 must declare it upon arrival or departure.
“The law clearly states that if a person has funds above $10,000, they must declare it to Customs. Failure to do so could result in the forfeiture of the money, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both,” he stated.
The CAC further explained that advanced scanning technology played a crucial role in detecting the hidden funds.
“We allowed him to proceed but closely monitored his baggage. Upon further inspection, we discovered that the density was irregular, so we instructed him to return. In his presence, we checked the package and found the undeclared money hidden inside the yogurt carton,” he detailed.
Following the interception, the seized cash was formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation and legal proceedings.
“As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited money to the EFCC for further necessary action,” Adebisi stated.
Reaffirming the NCS’s dedication to enforcing financial regulations, he warned travelers against attempting to evade legal requirements.
“All travelers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country.”
He also emphasized the consequences of non-compliance, citing relevant financial laws.
“The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995 provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations violates Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties,” he said.
Adebisi assured that the Customs Service would continue working with agencies such as the EFCC to enhance border security and combat financial crimes.
He urged travelers and stakeholders to remain vigilant and adhere to legal financial practices.
