NIGERIA: Customs Seizes ₦2.28bn Undeclared Foreign Currency At Lagos Airport, Hands Suspect To EFCC

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦2.28 billion, marking a significant strike against illicit financial flows as Nigeria celebrates its recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List.

Announcing the seizure at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller of MMIA Command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, said the interception involved €651,505 and $800,575, discovered in the possession of an expatriate at the Departure Terminal 2 on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Comptroller Nwokorie said the suspect, who was scheduled to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai, denied carrying any currency when asked during routine screening at approximately 2:45 p.m. A subsequent search of his travelling bag revealed the large sums hidden inside.

He explained that the seizure aligns with Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws, which require travellers to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent.

While carrying amounts above this threshold is not an offence, failure to declare or making a false declaration constitutes a violation.

The Customs Area Controller praised the professionalism and integrity of officers in the Command’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Unit, whose vigilance led to the interception.

He also congratulated Nigeria on its FATF Grey List delisting, attributing the achievement to decisive leadership by Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and effective inter-agency collaboration.

Comptroller Nwokorie formally handed over the suspect, his international passport, and the seized currencies to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

Speaking on behalf of the EFCC, Assistant Commander Richard Adejumo (ACE II) confirmed receipt of the case and assured Nigerians of a thorough investigation. “We are taking over this case, and we will do justice to it. We will make sure that we rid money laundering out of the country,” he said.

Adejumo expressed appreciation for the sustained synergy and cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the EFCC, describing it as a key factor in strengthening Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes.

The seizure comes at a time when the NCS has intensified efforts to enforce anti-money laundering obligations at all entry and exit points, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to economic integrity and national security.