The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into two travellers allegedly caught with undeclared foreign currencies exceeding $6.18 million and £53,415 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2, Lagos.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC revealed that operatives from its Lagos Zonal Directorate in Ikoyi identified the suspects as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi.
According to the anti-graft agency, both suspects were arrested by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine security check. The travellers, who had reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were scheduled to connect to Abuja, were found in possession of the large sums of undeclared foreign currencies.
“Upon arrest, the suspects, who were scheduled to travel to Abuja after arriving in the country from Dubai en route Addis Ababa, were immediately handed over to the Department of State Services, DSS, who subsequently handed them over to the Commission for further investigations and prosecution,” the statement read.
The EFCC further disclosed that three mobile phones were recovered from the suspects.
“The suspects and the exhibits were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali,” Oyewale added.
The agency said a thorough investigation is underway to determine the source and intended destination of the funds, as well as any potential links to money laundering or other financial crimes.
See full statement below
Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos have commenced investigations of two travelers arrested by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for allegedly failing to declare the sums of $6,180 and £53,415 cash in their possession.
The suspects, Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi, were intercepted during a routine check on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Upon arrest, the suspects, who were scheduled to travel to Abuja, after arriving the country from Dubai enroute Addis Ababa, were immediately handed over to the Department of State Services, DSS, who subsequently handed them over to the Commission for further investigations and prosecution.
Also found on the suspects are three mobile phones.
The suspects and the exhibits were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
October 11, 2025
What you should know
The EFCC is investigating two men, Mamud and Yahaya Nasidi, caught with undeclared foreign currencies totalling over $6.18 million and £53,415 at Lagos Airport.
They were handed over by FAAN and the DSS for further questioning as the commission probes possible money laundering connections.
