A sum of $193,000 in cash, concealed inside a carton of yoghurt, has been intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed in a statement on Friday that the interception was made by officers of the Federal Capital Territory Command, following credible intelligence and a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger.
Passenger Concealed Funds to Evade Declaration
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of the command, Olumide Adebisi, identified the suspect as 40-year-old Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, who arrived in Nigeria aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
According to Adebisi, the intelligence-led operation led to a thorough inspection of the suspect’s luggage, resulting in the discovery of the undeclared cash.
“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 stated.
Violation of Financial Regulations
The CAC explained that the suspect’s actions violated the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Both laws mandate that any traveler carrying more than $10,000 or its equivalent 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,” Adebisi said.
Advanced Scanning Technology Detected the Concealment
Adebisi further noted that advanced scanning technology played a crucial role in detecting the irregularity in the suspect’s luggage.
“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 yoghurt carton,” he explained.
Handing Over to EFCC for Further Investigation
Following standard procedures, the intercepted funds have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited money to the EFCC for further necessary action,” Adebisi confirmed.
Warning to Travelers on Financial Regulations
Adebisi reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across borders.
“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 warned.
He also emphasized that non-compliance with currency declaration laws violates Nigerian financial regulations and attracts severe penalties.
The CAC further assured that the NCS would continue working closely with other law enforcement agencies, particularly the EFCC, to strengthen border security and financial crime enforcement.
He urged travelers and stakeholders to remain vigilant and comply with lawful financial practices.
