Over ₦2.28bn in undeclared foreign currency seized at Lagos airport
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth over ₦2.28 billion at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Command.
Announcing the seizure at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, the Customs Area Controller, MMIA Command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, said the confiscated funds included €651,505 and $800,575. He described the interception as a demonstration of the Service’s commitment to combating financial crimes, preventing illicit financial flows, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic integrity and national security.
Comptroller Nwokorie also congratulated Nigeria on its recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, attributing the achievement to strong leadership and effective inter-agency collaboration. He praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and other government agencies for their contributions to the milestone.
He commended officers of the Command’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Unit for their professionalism and vigilance, which made the successful interception possible.
According to Nwokorie, the seizure occurred at around 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, 13 December, at Departure Terminal 2. An Austrian national, Mr. Kavlak Onal, carrying passport number AP0084116, was scheduled to travel to Dubai on an Emirates flight. Although he denied carrying any foreign currency, the undeclared amounts were discovered in his luggage during a search.
The Customs Area Controller explained that all inbound and outbound travellers are required to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent. While carrying amounts above this threshold is not an offence, failure to declare, false declaration, or under-declaration constitutes a violation under Nigerian law. Nwokorie advised travellers and businesses to make honest declarations to avoid prosecution and possible forfeiture.
The suspect, his passport, and the seized currencies were formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. Speaking on behalf of the EFCC, Assistant Commander Richard Adejumo confirmed the takeover and assured Nigerians that the case would be thoroughly investigated.
“We are taking over this case and we will do justice to it. We will rid the country of money laundering and bring perpetrators to book,” Adejumo said, commending the Nigeria Customs Service for its sustained cooperation and synergy with the EFCC.
