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 criminality at our borders and restore laws and order.”
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.”
