The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $193,000 in undeclared foreign currency concealed in a yoghurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

According to the statement by the service on Friday, the seizure, which occurred on Thursday, followed a targeted baggage inspection based on “credible intelligence”.

The suspect, Kamilu Sarina, aged 40, arrived in Nigeria aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“Around the early hours of today, we received an intelligence report, which proved very helpful. This afternoon, one Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, who boarded Ethiopian Airlines from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was found concealing a total sum of $193,000 inside a carton of yoghurt,” said Olumide Adebisi, a Comptroller at the customs area controller for the Federal Capital Territory Command.

The suspect failed to declare the funds, in violation of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which require travellers in possession of over $10,000 to declare such sums to customs upon entry or exit.

“The law clearly states that if a person has funds above $10,000, they must declare it to Customs. Failure to do so could result in the forfeiture of the money, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both,” Mr Adebisi said.

He explained that the concealment was uncovered during baggage scanning.

“When Mr. Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina’s luggage was scanned, we detected an unusual density. We allowed him to proceed but closely monitored his baggage. Upon further inspection, we discovered that the density was irregular, so we instructed him to return. In his presence, we checked the package and found the undeclared money hidden inside the yoghurt carton.”

The intercepted currency has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

“As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited money to the EFCC for further necessary action,” he said.

Reiterating the Customs’ commitment to financial regulation enforcement, Mr Adebisi warned travellers against attempting to bypass currency declaration rules.

“All travellers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when travelling in or out of the country,” he said.

“The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995 provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations violates Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties,” he added.

Mr Adebisi also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for “creating an enabling working environment” that has improved operational efficiency within the Command.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A young girl lost her life after being struck by lightning during a rainfall in Mbaiwen, Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the compound of Celina Agbatse, where the victim had gone to fetch water.

As the rain began to fall, she took shelter in front of the house, waiting for it to subside. However, she was struck by a powerful bolt of lightning, suffering fatal injuries.

Eyewitnesses immediately rushed her to the General Hospital in Adikpo, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Her body has since been deposited in the hospital’s mortuary.

…..says no child to celebrate with me on my 60th birthday

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Veteran Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has shared her emotional experience of living without her own child at the age of 60.

Speaking on Talk to B, a podcast hosted by her junior colleague, Biola Bayo, the Yoruba film star recounted how she had no child to call her own despite once being married.

She revealed that she became pregnant during her wedding ceremony but later lost the pregnancy.
“Although I was pregnant when I did my wedding, I had miscarriage weeks after the wedding.”
Following the loss, she explained that her husband began distancing himself from her, even going as far as demarcating their bed with a pillow.
She said she attempted IVF procedures twice in her bid to have a child, but both efforts failed. The actress added that two weeks after she eventually left the marriage, her husband brought another woman who was already pregnant into the house and married her.
Jayesimi further narrated how her desire to adopt a child was discouraged by her mother. Instead, she took on the responsibility of caring for her siblings’ children, supporting many of them through school.

Despite her sacrifices, she said she often felt sidelined when those children were getting married, as she was not given the recognition of a mother figure.

I know how the kids of those who have children celebrate them. But I have no one to celebrate with me.”