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As part of ongoing efforts to combat the movement of illicit financial flows within the country, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has seized foreign currencies including United States of America (USA) dollars and West African CFA Francs.
Speaking during the hand over ceremony to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Comptroller of the FOU Zone A Customs Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed that the interception occurred on Sunday, at approximately 11:45pm.
“Our operations patrol team was on routine surveillance along the Babapupa bush paths near the Seme border when they intercepted a Nissan Almera suspected to be a smuggled vehicle Upon sighting our officers, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush to evade arrest,” he stated.
Addressing officers of the Unit, representatives from the EFCC, and members of the NCBN crew, the Comptroller disclosed that an examination of the vehicle revealed the concealed sum of $20,000 USD and 110,000 West African CFA Francs, with a total estimated value of ₦30,861,651.
He emphasized that the seizure is a testament to the dedication of his officers and the arrest underscores the relentless commitment of Customs personnel to thwart the activities of illicit financial flow operators and protect the Nigerian economy.est African CFA Fra
The Comptroller further noted that the arrest aligns with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, both of which mandate the declaration of any currency exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent at the country’s borders.
He also reiterated the Service’s commitment to stakeholder education, adding that the Service recently launched robust sensitization campaigns to educate stakeholders on the legal requirements for currency declaration at our borders.
“I urge stakeholders and the public to leverage these initiatives to safeguard their hard-earned income,” he remarked.
In line with the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, the seized currencies have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Speaking on behalf of the EFCC Zonal Directorate 1, Assistant Director Shehu Mohammed, who represented the Zonal Coordinator, commended the Customs Service for the interception He emphasized the effective collaboration between both agencies.
“This seizure and subsequent handover of undeclared foreign currency highlight the strong synergy between our agencies and our joint commitment to enforcing financial laws in Nigeria. The EFCC will conduct a thorough investigation to identify the individuals involved and determine the appropriate legal action.”
Mr. Hussaini Abdullahi, the Public Relations Officer of Customs FOU Zone A, disseminated this information via a press statement.
