In a major financial crime interception, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have seized a staggering $1,154,900 and SR135,900 in undeclared foreign currency at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano State. The confiscation was made during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived aboard Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement released by NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, customs officers discovered the concealed cash hidden within packs of palm-date fruit, commonly known as Dabino. The attempt to smuggle such a large sum of money into the country without declaration raises serious concerns about illicit financial flows and money laundering.
Nigeria’s financial regulations mandate that any traveller carrying cash or negotiable instruments exceeding a legally approved threshold must declare them upon entry or exit. Failure to do so constitutes a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995, both of which prescribe severe penalties for non-compliance.
Following the seizure, the suspect and the undeclared money were immediately handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and legal proceedings. Subsequent court proceedings led to a conviction, with the court ordering the forfeiture of the intercepted funds to the Federal Government. This ruling aligns with Nigeria’s strict stance on financial transparency and its ongoing efforts to curb illegal financial activities.
Customs officials emphasized that the interception underscores the agency’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations, combating smuggling, and preventing economic crimes. Under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS has intensified its efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders and collaborate with other regulatory bodies in the fight against illicit transactions.
The public is strongly advised to comply with financial declaration requirements to avoid legal repercussions. Authorities have reiterated their zero-tolerance policy toward financial misconduct and have pledged to continue monitoring cross-border transactions to safeguard the nation’s economy.
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