Olusegun Ariyo
Personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, have intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 in undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
NCS spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Maiwada said the seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.
The Customs spokesman added that during the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage, conducted by NCS officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm date fruit packs, locally referred to as Dabino.
According to him, the interception aligns with the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.
“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action.
“Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
“The Service reiterates that 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,” the statement read.
