Nigeria Customs Seizes $1.1 Million, 135,900 Saudi Riyals Concealed in Palm Dates at Kano Airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $1.1 million and 135,900 Saudi Riyals concealed in packs of palm dates at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.

The NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, stating that the seizure was made during a routine baggage check on a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia aboard Saudi Airlines Flight No. SV401.

According to Maiwada, Customs officers, during a physical examination of the passenger’s luggage, discovered the undeclared foreign currency hidden in the fruit packages.

Violation of Financial Regulations

The interception, Maiwada noted, aligns with the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.

“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and legal action,” he said.

He further stated that the court convicted the defendant, ordering the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

Customs Warns Against Non-Compliance

The NCS reiterated that all travellers must comply with Nigeria’s currency declaration laws, which mandate the disclosure of cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when travelling in or out of the country.

Maiwada stressed that violating these regulations attracts severe penalties under the Money Laundering Act (2022) and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (1995).

“The service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences,” he added.

Strengthening Border Security

Under the leadership of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.

This latest seizure, Maiwada said, highlights the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and ensuring full compliance with financial regulations.

He called on travellers and financial sector stakeholders to remain vigilant and adhere to lawful financial practices to avoid sanctions.