REVEALED: How Customs Seized Undeclared $1.1m, 135k Riyal at Kano Airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday seized over $1.1 million and 135,900 Saudi Riyals in undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), in Kano state.

The operation highlights the agency’s commitment to tackling illicit financial flows.

The interception occurred during a routine baggage check on Saudi Airline Flight SV401, arriving from Saudi Arabia.

Customs officers discovered the cash concealed inside packs of palm-date fruits (Dabino) belonging to Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, an inbound passenger.

“This seizure reinforces our commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows that threaten Nigeria’s economy,” the Service stated.

Following due process, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) took over the case.

The court later convicted the suspect and ordered the forfeiture of the seized funds to the Federal Government, in line with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

The Customs Service reminded travelers of the legal requirement to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when entering or leaving Nigeria.

Failure to comply violates the Money Laundering Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995, both of which impose severe penalties for non-compliance.

Under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS continues to strengthen enforcement strategies against smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and trans-border crimes.

The agency pledged to work closely with other government bodies to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and financial system from unlawful activities.