Security operatives were arrested on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2) in Lagos after they were caught trying to board a flight with more than $6.1 million in cash.
The incident happened at the domestic wing of the airport, where the suspects — whose number has not been officially disclosed — attempted to board an Aero Contractors flight with several boxes filled with undeclared U.S. dollars.
According to airport sources, the individuals had already passed through initial security checks before they were stopped near the aircraft when Aero security officers noticed their unusually heavy luggage.
The discovery raised suspicions, prompting airport security to alert the Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit. The matter was later handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), which subsequently transferred the suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
An official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who spoke anonymously, confirmed the handover, noting that the DSS is now working with the EFCC to determine the source and purpose of the cash.
Sources at the airport said the suspects initially claimed they were security personnel escorting a suspect and some “exhibits.” However, they failed to declare the money or follow the proper protocol for transporting suspects on commercial flights — a move that allowed them to pass initial checks unnoticed.
Speaking about the incident, the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi, said his airline’s security team became suspicious when the passengers refused to check in their heavy bags.
“Our security officers noticed some passengers with very heavy luggage and advised them to check it in, but they refused,” Sanusi explained. “They later said the bags contained money, and when asked if it was declared, they said no. They also claimed to be security agents escorting a suspect, but they didn’t follow due procedures. So we denied them boarding.”
Read Also;
Edo State security operatives have uncovered and destroyed five suspected kidnappers’ camps in Owan East Local Government Area, after a two-day operation in the Ekeke Erah Forest.
He added that there are clear aviation procedures for transporting suspects, which the group ignored.
Repeated attempts to reach officials of FAAN, including its spokesperson, Henry Agbebire, and the Director of Aviation Security, Igbafe Afegbai, were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or messages. The same applied to Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head of Corporate Communications at Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of MM2.
