By Joshua Yousouph
Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted over $1.72 million equivalent in undeclared foreign currencies in the first half of 2026.
The seizures which were in different currencies were in an effort to combat illicit financial flows and enforce Nigeria’s currency declaration regulations at the nation’s airports and land borders.
Official data obtained by our correspondent from the Service through the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, showed that the seizures, recorded between January and June 2026, involved multiple cases of non-declaration by passengers arriving mainly from Saudi Arabia, as well as attempted illegal movement of foreign currencies through Nigeria’s land borders.
The interceptions comprised $1,592,900, 404,541 Saudi Riyals (SAR), 7 million CFA francs, 28 Chinese Yuan (CNY), and 20 Ghana Cedis (GHS), bringing the total estimated value to over $1.72 million based on prevailing official exchange rates.
A breakdown of the seizures showed that in January 2026 alone, the Kano/Jigawa Area Command recorded two major interceptions at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport involving passengers arriving from Saudi Arabia.
On January 6, 2026, Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia who failed to declare foreign currencies and was also found in possession of 25 ATM cards. The recovered items included $106,500, 134,265 Saudi Riyals (SAR), 28 Chinese Yuan (CNY), and 20 Ghana Cedis (GHS).
On January 15, 2026, another passenger on the same route was arrested for similar offences, with a seizure comprising $32,000 and 120 Saudi Riyals (SAR). Both suspects initially made no declarations and were subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Directorate, for further investigation and prosecution.
Further findings showed that between February and March, Customs intensified surveillance operations across airports and land borders, leading to additional high-profile seizures. One of the largest interceptions occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where officers uncovered $1,154,900 and 135,900 Saudi Riyals concealed in luggage during routine baggage checks on an inbound passenger from Saudi Arabia.
In another operation at the same airport, Customs officers intercepted $106,500 and 134,256 Saudi Riyals from another passenger attempting to move the funds without declaration, contrary to Nigeria’s financial regulations.
At the land border, the Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, intercepted 7 million CFA francs, estimated at about N17 million, while being smuggled out of the country. The funds were also transferred to the EFCC for investigation.
The anti-money laundering crackdown continued into the second quarter of the year. On April 11, 2026, officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, intercepted a passenger attempting to travel with $193,000 without making the mandatory declaration as required under Nigeria’s currency declaration regulations. The seized funds were subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible forfeiture.
The latest interception brought the total value of foreign currencies seized by the Service between January and June 2026 to over $1.72 million equivalent, reinforcing the Customs Service’s sustained enforcement against illicit cash movements through Nigeria’s borders.
The Nigeria Customs Service said the seizures underscore its commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, warning that travellers who fail to declare cash above the statutory threshold risk arrest, forfeiture of the funds, and prosecution.
The Service added that intelligence-driven surveillance, passenger profiling, and enhanced collaboration with other security and financial intelligence agencies would continue across airports and border corridors nationwide to curb money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes.
