by Ola Williams-
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted an undeclared sum of $193,000 (approximately two hundred ninety-nine million, one hundred fifty thousand naira) concealed in a yogurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed the seizure in a statement on Friday, revealing that the suspect had arrived aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“This operation was intelligence-driven. Our officers, acting on credible information, conducted a meticulous inspection of the passenger’s baggage, which led to the discovery of the concealed cash,” Maiwada stated.
He emphasized that the undeclared funds violated the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Under these laws, travelers carrying more than $10,000 (or its equivalent in negotiable instruments) must declare it upon arrival or departure.
“The law is clear. Any traveler bringing in or taking out an amount exceeding the legal threshold must declare it. Failing to do so is a serious offense,” Maiwada warned.
According to him, the agency’s use of advanced scanning technology played a key role in detecting the unusual density of the suspect’s luggage.
“The seized money has now been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he added.
Maiwada reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to curbing illicit financial activities and urged travelers to adhere to financial regulations.
“We remain vigilant in ensuring compliance with international and national financial laws. We advise all travelers to declare any funds above the stipulated limit to avoid legal repercussions,” he said.
The EFCC is expected to conduct further investigations to determine the source and intended use of the seized funds.
The revised version includes direct quotes for clarity and impact while maintaining a professional tone. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements.
