The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has commenced investigations of the
sums of US?$20,000 ( Twenty Thousand United States Dollars and
CFA?110,000( One Hundred and Ten Thousand CFA) intercepted by operatives of the
Nigeria Customs Service , NCS, at Seme Border in the Badagry Local Government
Area of Lagos State
The officers of the NCS, during a patrol on
Sunday, July 13, 2025, along the Babapupa bush paths near the Seme Border,
intercepted a Nissan Almera car suspected of being a smuggled vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle, upon sighting the officers,
fled into the bush to avoid arrest.
Speaking during the handover held at the Zone A,
Ikeja, Lagos Command of the NCS, the Comptroller, M.S. Shuaibu,
said:
“The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit
Zone A, recorded remarkable progress in the ongoing efforts to thwart the
activities of illicit financial flow movers in our country.
"The examination reports of the said vehicle
revealed that $20,000 (USD), CFA110,000 were recovered.
"This arrest underscores the relentless
commitment of our officers to continuously thwart the activities of illicit
financial flow movers and protect our country's economy. It represents
concerted efforts to combat smuggling and criminalities at our borders and
restore laws and orders.”
Continuing, he said: “Let me reiterate that this
arrest is in line with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act
2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which requires a mandatory
declaration of any currency exceeding $10, 000 or its equivalent at Nigeria's
borders.
Shaibu, who appreciated his officers for their
unwavering dedication and commitment that led to the success of the operation,
added that “In line with the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to
Inter- agency cooperation, the seized currencies will be handed over to the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and
prosecution.”
According to him, “having recognised the critical role
the EFCC plays in enforcing laws related to money laundering, terrorism
financing, and other financial crimes in the country, the Zone A, NCS Command,
on behalf of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, invites the
leadership of the EFCC for the handing over of the seized currency.”
Receiving the seized foreign currencies, the
Head , Investigations, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, S. M. Ala, assured the
NCS that the Commission would conduct a thorough forensic investigation to
uncover the circumstances surrounding this interception and ensure that “due
process is followed.”
He also commended the Zone A Command of the NCS for
its vigilance and commitment towards safeguarding the nation’s borders,
stressing that its dedication had again ensured that” illicit financial
activities do not go unchecked.”
