The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has handed over undeclared foreign currencies — $20,000 and 110,000 West African CFA Francs — to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi, who described the interception as a major success in the Service’s ongoing fight against illicit financial flows within Nigeria.
According to Abdullahi, the interception occurred on Sunday at about 11:45 p.m. when officers on routine patrol along the Babapupa bush paths near the Seme Border stopped a Nissan Almera suspected of being smuggled. Upon sighting the officers, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest.
The Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, explained that a search of the abandoned vehicle uncovered the concealed sums of $20,000 and 110,000 CFA Francs, with a combined estimated value of N30.8 million.
“This interception highlights the relentless commitment of our personnel to disrupt illicit financial activities and protect the Nigerian economy,” Shuaibu stated. “It reflects our sustained efforts to combat smuggling and maintain law and order along our borders.”
He noted that the seizure aligns with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, both of which require individuals to declare any currency exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent at the country’s entry and exit points.
Shuaibu also stressed the importance of stakeholder education, pointing out that the Service recently launched a robust sensitisation campaign to raise awareness about the legal requirements for currency declaration.
He urged the public and stakeholders to take advantage of these initiatives to protect their finances and avoid violating the law.
Commending the Unit’s officers for their dedication, Shuaibu reiterated the Service’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, adding that the seized currencies have been handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Receiving the funds, EFCC Assistant Director Shehu Mohammed, who represented the Zonal Coordinator, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for the interception.
“This seizure and subsequent handover demonstrate the strong synergy between our agencies and our shared commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s financial laws,” Mohammed said. “The EFCC will carry out a thorough investigation to identify those involved and determine appropriate legal actions.”
ADEOLA KUNLE
