The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has intercepted a total of $578,000 in undeclared cash from a passenger arriving from South Africa.
Customs Area Controller John Harrison disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday, stating that the suspect, identified as Okorie Sunday, arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Upon arrival, his suspicious behavior prompted customs officers to conduct a search, leading to the discovery of the concealed cash.
The passenger initially declared $279,000 but had an additional $299,000 hidden on his body, violating the legal declaration threshold of $10,000. Authorities also found £100 and a counterfeit $250 in his possession.
Following the seizure, customs officials handed over the suspect and the cash to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. The money was jointly counted and verified by both agencies.
Harrison emphasized that such financial misconduct undermines the country’s financial integrity. He also reminded travelers that customs has provided declaration forms at airline counters to ensure compliance with financial regulations.
Receiving the intercepted cash, EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director, Ahmed Ghali, warned the public against circumventing financial regulations, stressing that undeclared funds could facilitate money laundering and damage Nigeria’s global reputation.
He assured that the EFCC would investigate the legitimacy of the seized funds and take necessary legal action.
