The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $193,000 in undeclared cash concealed inside a yogurt carton at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Officials announced the seizure on Friday, citing a breach of financial regulations.
Suspect Detained After Arrival from Saudi Arabia
The suspect, who arrived on Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, failed to declare the cash upon arrival, violating Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada revealed that the interception was the result of a targeted intelligence operation and meticulous baggage inspection.
“Acting on intelligence, Customs officers carried out a detailed examination, leading to the discovery of the concealed cash,” Maiwada stated.
Advanced Scanning Technology Exposes Hidden Cash
Customs officials flagged the suspect’s luggage after detecting unusual density in the yogurt carton using advanced scanning technology. A manual inspection confirmed the presence of the hidden money.
Under Nigerian law, travelers carrying more than $10,000 in cash must declare it upon arrival or departure. Failure to do so violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023.
Funds Handed Over to EFCC for Investigation
Following the seizure, the $193,000 was transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited funds to the EFCC for further necessary action,” Maiwada confirmed.
Nigeria Intensifies Crackdown on Illicit Cash Smuggling
The Abuja seizure is part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to combat illicit financial flows and enforce financial transparency at its borders. Authorities warn that undeclared cash movements can facilitate money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes.
This interception follows a similar case at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, where Customs officials seized $578,000 from a passenger arriving from Johannesburg. The suspect initially declared $279,000, but further inspection revealed an additional $299,000 hidden in multiple packages.
With increased enforcement at Nigerian airports, officials have reiterated that failure to declare large cash sums could result in seizure, prosecution, and permanent forfeiture under the country’s stringent financial regulations.
