EFCC investigates travellers caught with over $6,000 and £53,000 undeclared cash at Lagos airport after interception by FAAN officials

EFCC investigates travellers with undeclared cash following their arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, Lagos.

Also read: EFCC , Customs deepen collaboration on economic crimes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun probing two passengers found in possession of undeclared foreign currencies totalling over $6,000 and £53,000.

In a statement posted on its verified X handle on Saturday, the anti-graft agency identified the suspects as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi.

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, based in Ikoyi, confirmed that the duo were intercepted by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine check.

Earlier reports indicated that the suspects attempted to board an Aero Contractors’ flight carrying undeclared sums exceeding $6.1 million in cash. T

hey allegedly claimed to be security operatives travelling with a suspect and the money as exhibits.

However, EFCC clarified that the men, who had arrived in Nigeria from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were en route to Abuja, failed to declare $6,180 and £53,415 in their possession as required by Nigerian law.

Following their arrest, the suspects were first handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) before being transferred to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution. Three mobile phones were also seized as part of the evidence.

The items and suspects were formally received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali.

Also read: Ellie Bitar cleared as EFCC hunts CBEX fraud suspects

The EFCC described the case as a “serious breach of airport financial declaration regulations” and assured the public that decisive action would be taken to uphold transparency and compliance with anti-money-laundering laws.