The Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, Mohammed Shuaibu, on Tuesday, turned over a sum of 7,000,000 CFA, equal to N17,692,105 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Speaking at the Idiroko Command of NCS during the handover, Shuaibu said that the accomplishment demonstrated the state’s Customs officers’ renewed determination to put a halt to any illegal activity that may jeopardise the nation’s security or economy.
He clarified that on March 2, when searching travellers coming from Nigeria to the Benin Republic, his officials found the bag containing the foreign money.
Shuaibu said, “On the 20th of March, 2025, our officers on duty at the outward baggage hall, while conducting a passenger bag en route Nigeria to Benin Republic, a bag suspected to be carrying unlawful content was spotted.
“On thorough examination, it was discovered to contain a new mint foreign currency note. Our officers conducted a search on the bag in line with the provision of Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and discovered the bag to be containing foreign currency, 7,000,000 CFA.
“It might interest you to know that failure to declare cash amounting to the seized currency runs contrary to the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995.”
He added that the Ogun I Area Command, acting on behalf of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, invited the EFCC leadership to turn over the confiscated currency because it recognised the vital role the agency played in upholding the nation’s laws against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes.
In accordance with the NCS leadership’s policy stance, the customs head said that the transfer of the confiscated money aims to promote interagency cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service, EFCC, and other sister agencies.
However, Shuaibu has promised a ruthless crackdown on those who are determined to commit crimes at the nation’s border, stating that they must either change their ways or face the consequences.
He maintained that the command under his direction was still dedicated to strictly adhering to the regulations that now regulate the day-to-day operations of the service at the international corridor as well as the fiscal policies of the federal government.
The head of customs counselled border communities to dissuade and refrain from engaging in any shady smuggling activities.
Shuaibu reaffirmed that his officers at the command are dedicated to enforcing the current Customs administration, which is led by CCG Adewale Adeniyi and his management team. They have zero tolerance for revenue leaks and violations of economic and fiscal policy measures in all of their ramifications.
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Receiving the seized foreign currency, EFCC’s Head of Investigation, Lagos Zone 2, Moses Oguzi, assured that his agency will be conducting a thorough forensic investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding this interception and ensure that due process is followed.
Oguzi said, “Let this serve as a reminder that no effort will be spared in holding accountable those who seek to undermine the integrity of our financial systems.”
He commended the Ogun 1 Area Command of the NCS for their vigilance and commitment towards safeguarding the nation’s borders, stressing that their dedication has again ensured that illicit financial activities do not go unchecked.
