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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦2.28 billion at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in a major anti-money laundering operation.
The seizure was announced at a press briefing on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the MMIA Command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie. According to him, the intercepted funds comprised €651,505 and $800,575, discovered during routine departure screening.
Nwokorie said the interception demonstrated the Service’s firm commitment to combating financial crimes, curbing illicit financial flows and protecting Nigeria’s economic integrity and national security. He praised the professionalism of officers attached to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Unit of the command, whose vigilance led to the successful operation.
The CAC also congratulated Nigeria on its recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, attributing the milestone to strong leadership and effective collaboration among government agencies. He specifically commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for driving reforms that strengthened compliance and border enforcement.
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According to Nwokorie, the seizure occurred at about 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, 13 December 2025, at Departure Terminal 2 of the airport. An Austrian national, identified as Mr. Kavlak Onal, was scheduled to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai when Customs officers requested a declaration of foreign currency in his possession.
He explained that the passenger failed to declare the funds, prompting a detailed search of his luggage, which revealed the undeclared currencies. The act, Nwokorie said, violated regulations requiring travellers to declare any foreign currency or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent when entering or leaving Nigeria.
“Carrying currency above the approved threshold is not an offence. However, failure to declare, false declaration or under-declaration constitutes an offence under the law,” the CAC stated, warning travellers to comply with declaration requirements to avoid prosecution or forfeiture.
The suspect, his international passport and the seized currencies were subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. Speaking on behalf of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the Commission, Richard Adejumo, confirmed the takeover of the case and assured Nigerians that a thorough investigation would be conducted.
“We will ensure that justice is served and that perpetrators of money laundering are brought to book,” Adejumo said, while commending the sustained collaboration between the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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