CUSTOMS INTERCEPT $1.15 MILLION IN UNDECLARED FOREIGN CURRENCY AT KANO AIRPORT

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Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have successfully intercepted a total of $1,154,900 and SR135,900 in undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada revealed this in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the seizure occurred during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who had arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

During the physical inspection of the passenger’s luggage, NCS officers discovered the concealed undeclared currency hidden within packs of palm-date fruit, locally known as Dabino.

Maiwada emphasized that this interception is part of the NCS’s ongoing efforts to enforce financial regulations and curb illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.

“The suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and legal action,” the statement noted.

As a result, the court convicted the defendant and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared funds to the Federal Government, in line with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

The NCS reminded the public that travelers must adhere to Nigeria’s financial regulations, specifically the requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country. Non-compliance with these regulations attracts severe penalties.

Under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS continues its efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.

“This latest seizure reflects the Service’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations,” Maiwada concluded.

The NCS urges travelers and stakeholders in the financial sector to remain vigilant and comply with the law to avoid legal consequences.