In a dramatic crackdown on illicit financial flows, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a staggering $1.1 million and 135,900 Saudi Riyals in undeclared cash at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The bust, which occurred during a routine baggage inspection, has sent shockwaves through the anti-money laundering community.
NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, revealed in a statement on Thursday that the seizure took place on a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia aboard Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, had meticulously concealed the vast sum within packs of palm dates, a desperate attempt to evade detection. However, sharp-eyed customs officers uncovered the stash, reinforcing the agency’s relentless commitment to financial transparency and border security.
Following the discovery, the suspect and the confiscated funds were swiftly handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. The case moved rapidly through legal proceedings, culminating in a conviction and the court-mandated forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
Maiwada reiterated the NCS’s unwavering stance on enforcing financial regulations, reminding travelers of the legal requirement to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the stipulated threshold when entering or leaving Nigeria. This latest interception underscores the agency’s resolve to dismantle illicit financial networks and uphold the nation’s economic integrity.
With security agencies intensifying surveillance at airports and border points, smugglers and financial criminals are running out of hiding spots. The Kano seizure serves as a stern warning: the days of sneaking illicit cash through Nigeria’s airports are numbered.