Adewale Adeniyi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over $1.7 million across Nigeria’s international airports and land borders in 2025, in a series of enforcement operations aimed at curbing illicit financial flows and strengthening compliance with Nigeria’s anti–money laundering regulations.
Official data obtained exclusively by Shipping Position Daily from the Service through the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, revealed that the seizures were recorded at key entry and exit points including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), and the Seme land border.
The interceptions, which occurred at different periods of the year, involved passengers attempting to conceal or falsely declare foreign currencies far above the statutory declaration threshold of $10,000.
Within the first four months of the enforcement operations monitored by the Service, Customs officers intercepted foreign currencies equivalent to more than $570,000 between April and July 2025. According to the Service, the seizures were the result of proactive intelligence gathering and strict enforcement of Nigeria’s currency declaration laws.
One of the earliest interceptions occurred on April 27, 2025, when officers at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport stopped an inbound passenger concealing $86,500, 305,150 Saudi Riyals, and 560,000 CFA without declaration. Following investigations by the Kano Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the suspects, Sale Bala and Abdullahi Tahir Hamisu, were prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Kano presided over by Justice S. M. Shuaibu and subsequently convicted for violating Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The largest seizure during the period occurred on June 7 at the same airport when Customs officers recovered $420,900, 4,170,500 CFA, and other foreign currency from an undeclared inbound passenger. Confirming the incident, the Customs Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Dalhatu Abubakar, said the arrest followed credible intelligence and a coordinated clearance operation by officers stationed at the airport.
July recorded multiple interceptions across border points. On July 8, officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos arrested an outbound passenger who declared $60,000, but was found to be carrying an additional $29,000, bringing the total to $89,000. Five days later, a patrol team along the Babapupa bush paths near the Seme border intercepted a vehicle suspected to be used for smuggling activities. The driver fled on sighting Customs officers, leaving behind $20,000 and 110,000 CFA concealed inside the vehicle.
Another arrest was made on July 22 at the Lagos airport when a passenger, Phil-Olumba Ifunaya Sheila, who was scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom, declared $4,000 and £1,000 but was later found with $14,567, £1,030, and CAD 40 hidden in her luggage.
Further enforcement actions continued later in the year. On October 22, Customs officers at the Lagos airport arrested a passenger departing for the United Arab Emirates with $49,800 concealed in accompanied baggage without any declaration. Similarly, on December 13, another passenger attempting to depart Nigeria for Europe was intercepted with €800,575, equivalent to $651,505, after failing to declare the funds as required by law.
The Nigeria Customs Service stated that all seized currencies and suspects have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws and international financial reporting obligations.
The Service stressed that the law requires travelers carrying cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent to declare the amount to Customs authorities upon arrival or departure from Nigeria. Failure to comply, the Service warned, constitutes a violation that may lead to seizure, investigation, and prosecution.
Customs authorities reiterated their commitment to strengthening border surveillance, intelligence-driven enforcement, and inter-agency collaboration in order to combat illicit financial movements, money laundering, and other forms of transnational financial crimes.
