Gideon Animashaun
The Nigerian Customs Service intercepted a suspicious package containing $193,000 in undeclared cash at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on March 21, 2025, at 8:45 AM (WAT).
The money was hidden inside a yogurt carton in an attempt to evade detection.
The passenger carrying the package, identified as Sarina, had arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Customs officials became suspicious during a routine luggage check and decided to conduct a thorough search.
Authorities suspect the cash is linked to illegal money laundering activities.
The suspect was immediately detained for questioning, and financial crime investigators have been tasked with tracing the origin of the funds.
Nigerian officials have been cracking down on currency smuggling, especially at major airports.
In recent months, authorities have seized millions in undeclared cash and made multiple arrests.
Travelers have been warned to declare large sums of money upon arrival or departure to avoid facing legal consequences.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has also reiterated that all currency transactions must comply with financial regulations.
With this latest seizure, customs officials have vowed to strengthen airport security measures to prevent further illegal financial activities within Nigeria’s borders.
