The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport has intercepted $578,000 in undeclared funds from an inbound passenger arriving from South Africa.
Customs Area Controller (CAC), John Harrison, revealed the seizure on Friday, explaining that the passenger, identified as Mr. Okorie Sunday, arrived in Nigeria on March 19, 2025. Upon arrival, the passenger exhibited suspicious behavior, prompting officers to conduct a search.
Harrison clarified that while Sunday declared $279,000, he concealed an additional $299,000 on his body, exceeding the legal threshold of $10,000 for undeclared currency. Additionally, the suspect was found in possession of £100 and a counterfeit $250.
The intercepted funds were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where they were jointly counted and verified by both agencies. Harrison emphasized that such illegal activities undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.
The Customs Service has made declaration forms available at airline counters for passengers to comply with the legal requirement.
EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director, Ahmed Ghali, urged the public to adhere to the law, which mandates the declaration of amounts exceeding $10,000. He warned that failure to do so exposes the country to money laundering risks and the potential for illicit financial activities. Ghali confirmed that the EFCC would thoroughly investigate the origins of the funds and take appropriate legal actions.
