Authorities at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos, have detained several security personnel who were intercepted while attempting to board a domestic flight with more than $6 million in undeclared cash.
According to airport sources, the suspects were discovered carrying multiple boxes filled with U.S. dollars when airline security staff raised concerns during routine baggage screening. Their attempt to board the flight drew the attention of aviation security officers, who immediately initiated a secondary inspection.
Following the discovery, the individuals were taken into custody and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for preliminary interrogation. The case has since been transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for detailed investigation.
Officials familiar with the incident said the large volume of foreign currency and the failure to declare it raised suspicions of possible money laundering or illegal cash movement. Investigators are working to determine the source of the funds, the intended destination, and whether the act was part of a broader syndicate operation.
As of press time, neither the DSS nor the EFCC has released the identities of the suspects or issued an official statement on the arrest. However, airport security authorities confirmed that the money and the seized boxes are now in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending further examination.
The incident underscores growing concerns over cash smuggling through Nigeria’s airports, despite stringent financial reporting and anti-money laundering regulations that require declaration of any cash exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent before travel.
