…says gestures promote interagency collaboration
By Ola Kay
The Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko, Mohammed Shuaibu, on Tuesday, handed over a confiscated sum of 7,000,000 CFA equivalent to N17,692,105 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Shuaibu said during the hand over event at Idiroko Command of the NCS that the action was a demonstration of the renewed preparedness of the Customs operatives in the state to deal a decisive blow to criminal elements whose trade in stock is to damage tha nation’s economy and its security.
The Controller revealed that his officers had, on March 2, discovered a bag containing the foreign currency during a search conducted on the passengers travelling from Nigeria to Benin Republic
“On the 20th of March, 2025, our officers on duty at the outward baggage hall, while conducting a passenger bag en route Nigeria to Benin Republic, a bag suspected to be carrying unlawful content was spotted.
“On thorough examination, it was discovered to contain a new mint foreign currency note. Our officers conducted a search on the bag in line with the provision of Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and discovered the bag to be containing foreign currency, 7,000,000 CFA.
“It might interest you to know that failure to declare cash amounting to the seized currency runs contrary to the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995, ” he explained.
Also, Shuaibu said that in recognition of the critical role by the EFCC, regarding enforcement of the laws on money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes in the country, the Ogun I Area Command, on behalf of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, deemed it fit to invite the leadership of the EFCC for the handing over of the seized currency.
He added that the handing over of the seized money remains significant in promoting interagency collaboration between Nigeria Customs Service, EFCC, and other sister agencies in line with the policy thrust of the leadership of NCS.
He restated the commitment of the command under his watch to continue to clamp down on people who are inure to criminal activities around the country’s border, warning such elements to either turn away or face the wrath of the law.
He assured that his leadership remained committed to the strict implementation of the federal government’s fiscal policies and the existing laws that govern the day-to-day operation of the service at the international corridor.
He used the occasion to advise border communities to discourage and desist from any unscrupulous act of smuggling activities.
Shuaibu also stressed that the Customs administration under the leadership of CCG, Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team remained committed to blocking revenue leakages and violations of economic and fiscal policy measures in all their ramifications, just as his officers at the command would remain focused on enforcing same.
While receiving the seized CFAs, EFCC’s Head of Investigation, Lagos Zone 2, Moses Oguzi, informed that the anti-graft body carry out a thorough forensic investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding this interception and ensure that due process is followed.
“Let this serve as a reminder that no effort will be spared in holding accountable those who seek to undermine the integrity of our financial systems,” he said while commending the Ogun 1 Area Command of the NCS for the vigilance displayed and commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders,
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