“Airport Smuggling Exposed: $2.2m Undeclared Cash Seized By Customs In 7 Months”

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it intercepted undeclared foreign currencies amounting to $2.209 million across the country’s major airports between January and July 2025, according to iReporter online.

The seizures took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.

In one of the most notable cases, customs officers at Kano airport intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 hidden in packs of palm dates from a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia in March.

The suspect was arrested, and the cash was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), resulting in a court conviction and subsequent forfeiture to the Federal Government.

Also in March, $193,000 in undeclared cash was discovered hidden inside a carton of yoghurt at the Abuja airport, while customs officials in Lagos intercepted $578,000 from an inbound passenger from South Africa who declared only $279,000 but attempted to smuggle an additional $299,000.

According to iReporter online, the July seizures at Kano airport included currencies worth about ₦653.99 million, featuring $420,900, 3.95 million West African CFA francs, 224,000 Central African CFA francs, and €5,825.

Meanwhile, in Lagos, an outbound passenger was caught with $29,000 but declared only $6,000.

Industry stakeholders have linked the rise in such incidents to systemic policy lapses. Pius Ujubuonu, a senior member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, stated that “anywhere you have high rates of circumvention, there is something that does not add up,” urging a comprehensive policy review to promote better compliance.

Similarly, Segun Musa, Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, attributed the problem to low public awareness and emphasized the need for intensified sensitization campaigns.

The NCS has reiterated its position that all travellers are required to declare any amount exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent, with official forms provided at airline counters to facilitate legal declarations.

According to iReporter online, the agency continues to warn that any concealment of large sums may result in prosecution and forfeiture of the funds, as part of efforts to enhance financial transparency and national security.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”