The Controller of Ogun Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Mohammed Shuaibu, on Tuesday, handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission a sum of 7,000,000 CFA (approximately N17,692,105) seized at the Idiroko border from a Benin Republic-bound traveller, who failed to declare the money.

The handover took place at the Idiroko command of the NCS, where Shuaibu highlighted the ongoing efforts of Customs operatives in the state to combat criminal activities that threaten the country’s economy and security.

Shuaibu explained that the seized money was discovered on March 20, during a routine search of passengers traveling from Nigeria to the Benin Republic.

He explained that his officers found a bag containing the foreign currency, which was suspected to carry illicit content.

“On March 20, 2025, our officers at the outward baggage hall, while screening passengers en route from Nigeria to the Benin Republic, identified a suspicious bag. Upon a thorough examination, we found that the bag contained newly minted foreign currency,” Shuaibu said.

He continued, “Our officers conducted the search in line with the provisions of Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and discovered that the bag contained 7,000,000 CFA in foreign currency.”

Shuaibu emphasised that failing to declare such amounts violates the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995.

Recognising the crucial role played by the EFCC in enforcing laws related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes, Shuaibu expressed the Ogun Area Command’s commitment to interagency cooperation.

He noted that this collaboration was in line with the policy direction of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

“The handover of the seized currency to the EFCC fosters stronger cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service, EFCC, and other relevant agencies,” Shuaibu stated.


https://punchng.com/customs-release-to-efcc-cfa7m-seized-at-ogun-border/