The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 193,000 dollars undeclared foreign currency concealed in a carton of yoghurt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Addressing newsmen at the airport’s International Wing, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olumide Adebisi, disclosed that the suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina (40 years old), arrived in Nigeria onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Adebisi, said the interception on Thursday, 20th March 2025, resulted from credible intelligence gathering and a vigilant baggage check on an inbound passenger.
He explained that the undeclared cash violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, both of which mandate that any traveller in possession of funds exceeding 10,000 dollars or its equivalent in negotiable instruments must declare it to the Nigeria Customs Service upon arrival or departure.
Providing further details on how Customs officers uncovered the smuggled cash, Adebisi noted that advanced scanning technology played a crucial role in detecting the unusual density of the suspect’s luggage.
Following the seizure, the intercepted 193,000 dollars was formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Reaffirming the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across borders, Comptroller Adebisi warned that travellers attempting to bypass financial regulations would face strict legal consequences.
The Customs Area Controller further assured that the FCT Command will continue collaborating with sister agencies, particularly the EFCC, to strengthen border security and financial crime enforcement.
He urged travellers and stakeholders to remain vigilant and adhere to lawful financial practices.
The Comptroller, however, expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for creating an enabling working environment for officers and men of the Command and the entire Service, which has enhanced operational efficiency.
