The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigations into two travellers intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, Lagos, for allegedly failing to declare large sums of foreign currency in their possession.
In a statement released on Saturday via its official X handle, the anti-graft agency identified the suspects as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi. They were apprehended by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine security check.
According to the EFCC, the men were found carrying $6,180 and £53,415 in cash, which they allegedly failed to declare as required by Nigerian financial regulations for outbound and inbound travellers.
The suspects reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were scheduled to fly to Abuja when they were detained.
Initial claims by the duo suggested they were security operatives transporting a suspect alongside the money as "exhibits", a narrative that raised suspicion and led to their arrest.
They were first handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) before being transferred to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Three mobile phones were also recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest.
CSE Margaret Lamai formally received the suspects and the seized items on behalf of the Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali.
"Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, have commenced investigations of two travellers arrested by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for allegedly failing to declare the sums of $6,180 and £53,415 cash in their possession.
"Also found on the suspects are three mobile phones. The suspects and the exhibits were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali," the statement read.
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