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ABUJA, Nigeria- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized an undeclared amount of $193,000 (approximately N289.5 billion) which was hidden in a carton of yogurt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The interception was announced by NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement made on Friday in Abuja, indicating that the seizure occurred on Thursday. The individual involved was on Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951, arriving from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Maiwada shared that the operation was executed based on credible intelligence and a comprehensive baggage inspection of an incoming passenger. “Acting on intelligence, Customs officers performed a thorough inspection, which led to the uncovering of the concealed cash,” he stated.
He added that the undeclared money contravenes the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. These regulations require that travelers carrying more than $10,000 (or its equivalent in negotiable instruments) declare it to Customs when arriving or departing.
Maiwada mentioned that advanced scanning technology played a crucial role in identifying the unusual density of the suspect's luggage. “The seized funds have been officially transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and potential prosecution. In accordance with the law, we are delivering the forfeited money to the EFCC for further necessary action,” he noted.
He reiterated the NCS’s dedication to enforcing financial regulations and mitigating illicit financial flows across borders.
He also encouraged travelers to adhere to the legal requirement of declaring any cash or negotiable instruments that exceed the approved limits when entering or leaving Nigeria.
