The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦2.28 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The seizure was announced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by the Customs Area Controller of the MMIA Command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, during a media briefing.
Nwokorie said the intercepted sums comprised €651,505 and $800,575, stressing that the development underscored the Service’s determination to curb financial crimes, block illicit financial flows and safeguard Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.
He congratulated Nigeria on its recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, attributing the achievement to effective leadership and strong inter-agency collaboration.
The Comptroller particularly commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for driving reforms and deepening cooperation with sister agencies.
The Customs chief also praised officers of the Command’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism Unit for their professionalism and vigilance, noting that their alertness led to the successful interception.
Explaining the circumstances, Nwokorie said the incident occurred at about 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the airport’s Departure Terminal 2.
He disclosed that an Austrian national, identified as Mr. Kavlak Onal, was about to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai when he allegedly failed to declare the foreign currencies in his possession, despite being questioned by Customs officers.
A subsequent search of his luggage uncovered the undeclared cash.
The Comptroller noted that the action contravened regulations requiring travellers entering or leaving Nigeria to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent.
He added that the interception was in line with the statutory mandate of the NCS to enforce anti-money laundering laws and prevent illicit financial movements across the country’s borders.
While advising travellers and businesspersons to ensure full and accurate disclosure, Nwokorie warned that failure to comply could attract legal consequences, including prosecution and forfeiture.
“Possessing foreign currency above the approved $10,000 threshold is not an offence. However, failure to declare, false declaration or under-declaration is punishable under the law,” he stated.
The suspect, alongside his international passport and the seized currencies, was subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
Receiving the items on behalf of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the Commission, Richard Adejumo, confirmed that the agency had taken over the case and assured the public of a thorough investigation.
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He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to accountability and prosecution of offenders, while commending the sustained collaboration between the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service.
