Customs Seize Undeclared Cash Worth $2.2m at Nigerian Airports
💵 Customs Seize Undeclared Cash Worth $2.2m at Nigerian Airports
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted undeclared foreign cash worth over $2.2 million at major airports across the country between January and July 2025, exposing a rising trend in currency smuggling.
The seizures were recorded at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, according to NCS reports obtained by our correspondent.
Biggest Haul Hidden in Palm Dates
In one of the most dramatic cases, officers at Kano airport in March seized $1,154,900 and SR135,900 (Saudi Riyals) hidden inside packs of palm dates from a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia. The suspect was arrested, and the funds were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), leading to a court conviction and forfeiture to the Federal Government.
Other Major Seizures
Abuja (March): $193,000 stuffed inside a carton of yoghurt by an inbound passenger from Jeddah.
Lagos (March): $578,000 falsely declared by a passenger from South Africa, who declared $279,000 but concealed another $299,000 in multiple packages.
Kano (July): Mixed currencies totaling N653.99m, including $420,900, 3.9m West African CFA francs, 224,000 Central African CFA francs, and €5,825, were intercepted from a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia.
Lagos (July): An outbound passenger was stopped with $29,000 but declared only $6,000.
Why the Surge?
Industry stakeholders say the wave of seizures points to deeper policy challenges.
Customs agent Pius Ujubuonu argued that loopholes in fiscal policy are encouraging cash concealment.
“Anywhere you have high rates of circumvention, something doesn’t add up,” he said, urging government to review policies to encourage transparency.
Freight forwarding leader Dr. Segun Musa called for stronger public enlightenment campaigns and tougher investigations.
“We need more rigorous campaigns to make people aware of the rules. Beyond seizures, government must trace the sources of these funds and impose proper sanctions,” he stressed.
Customs Reiterates Rules
The NCS has once again reminded travelers of the law: all cash above $10,000 or its equivalent must be declared when entering or leaving Nigeria. Declaration forms, it noted, are available at airline counters and airport checkpoints.
With seizures now running into millions of dollars in just six months, analysts say the crackdown could intensify as authorities tighten scrutiny on Nigeria’s international gateways.
By Haruna Yakubu Haruna
