The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted over $1.1 million and SR135,900 in undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The seizure was made during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.
According to Abdullahi Maiwada, the Assistant Comptroller and National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, officers discovered the concealed money during a physical examination of the passenger's luggage. The foreign currency was hidden inside packs of palm-date fruit, locally known as Dabino, in an attempt to evade detection.
Following the discovery, the suspect and the seized money were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. After legal proceedings, the court convicted the defendant and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared funds to the Federal Government under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The NCS has reiterated the importance of declaring cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of Nigeria. Failure to comply, as outlined in the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995, constitutes a criminal offense and attracts severe penalties.
Under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Customs Service remains committed to enforcing financial regulations, curbing illicit financial flows, and strengthening border security. The agency also emphasized its dedication to working with other government agencies to combat smuggling and financial crimes.
The NCS urges travelers and financial sector stakeholders to adhere to legal financial practices to avoid prosecution and ensure compliance with Nigeria's economic security regulations.
