Security operatives attempting to board a flight with over $6.1 million in cash were intercepted and arrested on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2) in Lagos.
The suspects, whose identities and exact number were not immediately disclosed, were reportedly apprehended while trying to board an Aero Contractors flight at the domestic wing of the airport.
According to multiple sources at the airport who spoke on condition of anonymity, the operatives were found with several boxes filled with undeclared U.S. dollars during a routine security check.
It was learnt that the suspects had earlier passed through security screening before they were stopped at the foot of the aircraft when Aero Contractors’ security personnel became suspicious of their unusually heavy luggage.
“The bags looked too heavy, so the airline’s security team raised an alarm,” one airport source told TheCable. “When the boxes were opened, they were found to contain large bundles of dollars.”
Following the discovery, the incident was reported to Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials, who subsequently handed over the suspects to the Department of State Services (DSS) for interrogation.
A senior official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the DSS later transferred the suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
Another source said the suspects claimed to be security agents escorting a suspect and exhibits, a claim that may have initially helped them bypass certain security protocols at the airport.
However, their activities reportedly raised suspicion at the boarding gate when AVSEC officers noticed that the boxes were not part of any declared cargo.
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Speaking to journalists, Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, confirmed the incident.
He said the airline’s security personnel became suspicious after the passengers refused to check in their heavy bags and later admitted that they contained cash.
“Our security noticed some passengers trying to board with bags that were quite heavy. When asked to check them in, they refused. Later, they said the bags contained money,” Sanusi explained.
“When asked if the money had been declared, they said no. They claimed to be security agents escorting a suspect and exhibits, but they failed to follow the procedures for such movement.
“We informed them that if they were transporting a suspect, they must notify us in advance because there are protocols for that. Since they didn’t comply, they were not allowed to board, and they eventually left,” he added.
