The Nigeria customs service intercepted ₦2.28 billion undeclared foreign currencies from an Austrian national at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Saturday, December 13.
The interception, carried out by officers of the MMIA command’s anti-money laundering unit, involved €651,505 and $800,575 found in the possession of the suspect, identified as Kavlak Onal.
According to Chidi Nwokorie, the customs area controller of the command, the suspect was preparing to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai when he was stopped for routine screening.
“This interception was made at about 1445 hours on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the departure terminal 2, when Kavlak Onal, an Austrian national with passport number AP0084116, who was scheduled to travel on Emirates Airline to Dubai, was asked if he had any currency to declare, and he said he did not.
“However, after a search was conducted, the amount mentioned above was discovered in his travelling bag.
“This contravenes extant laws which mandate all travellers, inbound and outbound, to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding the $10,000 threshold or its equivalent,” he said.
Nwokorie cited provisions of the foreign exchange (monitoring and miscellaneous provisions) act, the money laundering (prevention and prohibition) act, and the Nigeria customs service act as the legal basis for the seizure.
He explained that Nigerian law permits travellers to carry foreign currency in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent, provided such funds are fully declared to customs officials.
Failure to do so, he said, constitutes an offence punishable under existing financial and anti-money laundering laws.
“I urge anyone who has nothing to hide and is engaged in legitimate business and trade to make an honest and full declaration of currency and other negotiable instruments above the $10,000 threshold.
“This can be done at the currency declaration desks in the arrival and departure halls of the airport, or risk prosecution and forfeiture of the funds to the federal government,” he said.
He further disclosed that officers involved in the operation resisted attempts at compromise and ensured that the funds were not illegally moved out of the country.
He said both the suspect and the seized currencies have been formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Receiving the suspect, assistant commander of the EFCC, Adejumo Richard, said the anti-graft agency would continue investigations from where customs concluded its preliminary action.
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