The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has handed over US $20,000 and 110,000 CFA Francs valued at approximately ₦30.8 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The currency, concealed in a smuggled Nissan Almera, was intercepted near the Seme border in Lagos State.
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The interception took place on Sunday, July 13, at about 11:45 p.m., during a routine patrol along the Babapupa bush paths near Seme, Badagry, an entry point notorious for illicit border activities.
Officers suspected the Nissan Almera was smuggled; upon sighting the patrol team, the driver fled into the bush, abandoning the vehicle.
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An initial search revealed US $20,000 and CFA 110,000 concealed within the vehicle.
Currency Valued at ₦30.8 Million
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, head of FOU Zone A, disclosed during the handover at Ikeja that the seized funds are estimated at ₦30,861,651.
The haul underscores Customs’ intensified efforts to curb illicit financial flows harming Nigeria’s economy.
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Shuaibu stressed the seizure was in compliance with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which mandate declaration of any currency exceeding $10,000 at border crossings, “The seizure underscores the relentless commitment of our personnel to thwart the activities of illicit financial flow operators and protect the Nigerian economy.”
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He also highlighted that Customs recently intensified sensitisation campaigns to educate cross-border traders on legal obligations.
EFCC: Thorough Investigation to Follow
Representing the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Assistant Director Shehu Mohammed praised the inter-agency operation.
He assured the public that the Commission would, “This seizure and subsequent handover… highlight the strong synergy between our agencies and our joint commitment to enforcing financial laws in Nigeria.”
