The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully intercepted a staggering $193,000 in undeclared foreign currency concealed inside a carton of yoghurt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This significant interception, which occurred on Thursday, March 20, 2025, was the result of diligent intelligence gathering, heightened surveillance, and a thorough baggage screening process. Customs officials, acting on credible information, were able to uncover the smuggled foreign currency and prevent what could have been an act of financial misconduct.
Customs’ Vigilance Leads to Arrest
During a press briefing at the international wing of the Abuja airport, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olumide Adebisi, disclosed that the suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was apprehended after arriving in Nigeria aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
According to Adebisi, the Customs Service had received actionable intelligence earlier in the day, prompting officers to closely monitor the baggage screening process at the airport. The intelligence suggested that a passenger might attempt to smuggle undeclared foreign currency into the country, necessitating stricter checks and monitoring at arrival points.
“Around the early hours of today, we received an intelligence report, which we took seriously. By afternoon, one Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, a Nigerian national who flew in from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, onboard Ethiopian Airlines, was found attempting to smuggle $193,000 into the country. The money was cleverly concealed inside a carton of yoghurt,” Adebisi revealed.
[/p]Violation of Currency Declaration Laws
Comptroller Adebisi emphasized that Sarina’s failure to declare the funds upon arrival was a direct violation of Nigeria’s financial regulations, specifically the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
These legal frameworks mandate that all individuals traveling into or out of Nigeria carrying cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent must declare it to Customs officials. Any failure to comply with this regulation could lead to the confiscation of the money, criminal prosecution, and other legal consequences.
“The law is clear: if a traveler is carrying an amount exceeding $10,000, it must be declared at the point of entry or exit,” Adebisi stated. “Failure to declare such funds is considered an offense under our financial regulations and may result in the forfeiture of the funds, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both, depending on the court’s ruling.”
How Customs Detected the Smuggled Cash
Providing insight into the detection process, Adebisi credited advanced baggage scanning technology and keen observation by Customs officers for uncovering the concealed money. He explained that upon scanning Sarina’s luggage, an irregular density pattern was observed in one of the cartons he was carrying.
“When Mr. Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina’s luggage was scanned, our system flagged an unusual density reading. Although we initially allowed him to proceed, we continued to monitor his baggage,” Adebisi detailed.
“Upon further scrutiny, our officers noted discrepancies in the weight distribution of the yoghurt carton. This raised further suspicion, and we decided to subject the package to a thorough manual inspection. In his presence, we opened the package and discovered wads of undeclared dollar bills neatly hidden inside,” he added.
Handover to EFCC for Further Investigation
Following the interception, the Nigeria Customs Service formally handed over the seized $193,000 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and potential prosecution.
“As mandated by law, we have transferred the intercepted funds to the EFCC for further investigation and necessary legal action,” Adebisi stated. “The EFCC will determine if this case involves money laundering, tax evasion, or any other financial crime.”
Importance of Compliance with Currency Declaration Laws
The Customs Controller reiterated the need for all travelers to adhere to Nigeria’s currency declaration laws to avoid legal repercussions. He highlighted that the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, as well as the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995, set clear guidelines regarding currency movement across borders.
“Non-compliance with financial disclosure regulations is a serious offense in Nigeria. We urge travelers to always declare any foreign currency exceeding the approved threshold to avoid legal complications and penalties,” Adebisi advised.
Stepping Up the Fight Against Smuggling
This latest seizure underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to tackling smuggling, financial crimes, and other illicit activities at the nation’s ports and borders. The agency has continued to adopt cutting-edge technology and intelligence-driven operations to detect and prevent illegal transactions that could threaten the country’s economic stability.
“The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to strengthen its anti-smuggling operations and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to curb illicit financial activities. We will work closely with relevant agencies such as the EFCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure compliance with financial regulations,” Adebisi concluded.
As investigations proceed, authorities will determine whether Sarina acted alone or was part of a larger money laundering syndicate. More details on the case may emerge following further inquiries by law enforcement agencies.