The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $193,000 (approximately ₦289.5 billion) concealed in a yogurt carton at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement released on Friday, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed that the seizure occurred on Thursday. He disclosed that the suspect had arrived on Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Maiwada explained that customs officers acted on credible intelligence and conducted a thorough baggage inspection, which led to the discovery of the hidden cash.
“Following a detailed examination, officers uncovered the undeclared funds inside the suspect’s luggage,” he said.
He further stated that failing to declare such an amount is a violation of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. These laws require travelers carrying more than $10,000 (or its equivalent in negotiable instruments) to declare it upon entry or exit from the country.
The concealed money was detected through advanced scanning technology, which flagged unusual density in the luggage.
The seized funds have since been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“In accordance with legal provisions, the confiscated money has been transferred to the EFCC for further necessary action,” Maiwada added.
He reiterated the NCS’s commitment to preventing financial crimes and ensuring compliance with monetary regulations.
He also urged travelers to adhere to the legal requirement of declaring large sums of money when moving across Nigeria’s borders.