Customs Intercepts $578,000 From Passenger at Lagos Airport
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday intercepted $578,000 in cash from a passenger who falsely declared the amount at the airport. The money has since been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
The suspect, who arrived in Lagos on a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg on March 19, 2025, initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk. However, upon further inspection, Customs officials discovered an additional $299,000 concealed in various packages, bringing the total amount to $578,000. Authorities also found 100 euros and a counterfeit $250 bill in the passenger’s possession.
According to Customs, the suspect’s actions violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2021, which mandates that any individual carrying over $10,000 in cash or negotiable instruments must declare the full amount. Due to the false declaration, the suspect was handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
Speaking to journalists at MMIA, the Customs Area Controller, Effiong John Harrison, emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation to safeguard economic security. “We are facing challenges with activities detrimental to the country’s growth, including currency traffickers whose actions harm the economy by hindering progress, devaluing our currency, and undermining trust in our financial systems,” Harrison said.
He reiterated that Customs remains committed to tackling these criminal activities, especially those that tarnish the country’s reputation internationally. “We are resolute in our mission to stop these unlawful activities and ensure that our airports are not used for illegal purposes,” he added. “We are working together with other government agencies to create an environment that promotes Nigeria as a safe and attractive destination for investment.”
The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Lagos II, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for their swift action in apprehending the passenger involved in the false currency declaration. He also stressed the importance of compliance with the law, which mandates passengers to declare any cash exceeding $10,000 when traveling in or out of Nigeria.
“I urge the public to comply with the law, as honest and accurate declarations are mandatory. Failure to declare or providing false declarations is a crime that jeopardizes our economy, financial systems, and global reputation. It exposes us to money laundering risks and potential sanctions,” Ghali said.
He assured the public that Customs and EFCC would continue to work together to ensure that financial crimes are prevented and Nigeria’s economic integrity is upheld. Ghali added, “Passengers must understand that declaring their cash ensures accountability. No one will prevent travelers from carrying cash as long as they fulfill the legal requirement of declaring it.”
Both agencies emphasized their commitment to maintaining a strong partnership to combat financial crimes and uphold the rule of law. They also confirmed that investigations into the authenticity of the intercepted currency and its potential links to money laundering would continue.
