December 19, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦2.28 billion at the Lagos airport.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), MMIA Command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, confirmed that the intercepted currencies comprised €651,505 and $800,575.
According to the CAC, the interception took place at about 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Departure Terminal 2 of the airport. An expatriate passenger scheduled to travel on Emirates Airlines to Dubai was found in possession of the undeclared currencies during a routine check.
“He was asked if he had any currency to declare and he said he did not. However, upon further search of his travelling bag, the undeclared foreign currencies were discovered”, he said.
Nwokorie explained that the act contravenes existing regulations, which mandate all inbound and outbound travellers to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent. He added that the interception was in line with the laws empowering the Nigeria Customs Service to prevent illicit financial flows and ensure strict compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations at all borders.
Comptroller Nwokorie commended officers of the Command’s AML/CFT Unit for their professionalism, integrity and vigilance, noting that their refusal to compromise made the successful interception possible.
Nwokorie, who congratulated Nigeria on its recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, attributed the achievement to the quality leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, working in synergy with other relevant government agencies.
While advising members of the public engaged in legitimate travel and business to always make honest and full declarations, the CAC clarified that “carrying currency exceeding the legally approved threshold of $10,000 or its equivalent is not an offence. However, failure to declare, false declaration or under-declaration constitutes an offence under the law and attracts prosecution and possible forfeiture.”
The Comptroller formally handed over the suspect, his international passport and the seized currencies to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary action.
Speaking on behalf of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the Commission (ACE II), Richard Adejumo, confirmed the takeover of the case, assuring Nigerians that the Commission would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“We are taking over this case and we will do justice to it. We will ensure that money laundering is tackled decisively and that perpetrators are brought to book”, Adejumo said.
He also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for the sustained synergy and cooperation between both agencies in the fight against financial crimes.
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