The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted $193,000 in cash concealed inside a yoghurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed in a statement on Friday that officers of the Federal Capital Territory Command made the discovery during a baggage check on an inbound passenger.
Customs Area Controller Olumide Adebisi revealed that the suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, 40, arrived in Nigeria on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a thorough inspection, leading to the discovery of the hidden cash.
Adebisi explained that failing to declare the money violated the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which require travelers carrying more than $10,000 to declare it upon arrival or departure. Violators face forfeiture of the funds, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.
Advanced scanning technology reportedly detected an unusual density in the suspect’s luggage, prompting further inspection that uncovered the concealed cash.
The seized funds have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Adebisi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and warned travelers against attempting to bypass legal requirements, emphasizing that non-compliance attracts strict penalties.
