The Nigeria Customs Service has seized $193,000 in undeclared cash from a passenger arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The funds, concealed within a carton of yogurt, were discovered during a routine baggage check, revealing a brazen attempt to circumvent Nigeria’s stringent financial regulations.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, arrived on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to Olumide Adebisi, the Customs Area Controller of the Federal Capital Territory Command, the interception was the result of “credible intelligence” and the astute application of advanced scanning technology. “Around the early hours of today, we received an intelligence report, which proved very helpful. This afternoon, one Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina… was found concealing a total sum of $193,000 inside a carton of yogurt,” Adebisi stated.
This incident highlights a critical aspect of border security: the constant vigilance required to detect and deter financial crimes. The Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 mandate that travelers declare any funds exceeding $10,000. Adebisi emphasized, “The law clearly states that if a person has funds above $10,000, they must declare it to Customs. Failure to do so could result in the forfeiture of the money, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.”
The emotional and economic implications of such seizures are significant. For many Nigerians, the sight of such large sums of money being illicitly transported evokes a sense of frustration, given the economic hardships faced by a large portion of the population. This discovery serves as a reminder that the fight against financial crime is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it has a direct impact on the nation’s economic stability and integrity.
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The sophisticated scanning technology employed by Customs played a pivotal role in this operation. As Adebisi noted, “When the suspect’s luggage was scanned, an unusual density was detected.” This technological advantage allows Customs to identify irregularities that might otherwise go unnoticed, signaling a significant advancement in Nigeria’s border security capabilities.
The seized funds have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution. This collaboration between agencies underscores the coordinated effort to combat financial crimes, a crucial step in safeguarding the nation’s economic health. As Adebisi put it, “As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited money to the EFCC for further necessary action.”
The Nigeria Customs Service’s warning to travelers is clear: “All travelers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country.” This message seeks to deter future attempts and reinforce the importance of adherence to the law.
The Customs Area Controller further assured that the command will continue collaborating with sister agencies, particularly the EFCC, to strengthen border security and financial crime enforcement. This partnership is essential in creating a robust defense against those who seek to undermine Nigeria’s financial integrity.
