Identities of Suspects Caught With $6.1 Million at Lagos Airport Revealed

Two men identified as Mahmud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi have been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos, after they were allegedly caught with a staggering $6.1 million in cash while attempting to board an Aero Contractors flight to Abuja.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) reportedly intercepted the suspects during routine security checks when several boxes filled with undeclared U.S. dollars were discovered. Under Nigeria’s anti–money laundering laws, travelers carrying cash exceeding $10,000 must declare it to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

Sources disclosed that the suspects had already passed through some airport security units before being arrested on the tarmac. They were initially handed over by FAAN AVSEC to the Department of State Services (DSS), which later transferred them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects had arrived from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and were scheduled to travel from Abuja to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Confirming the development, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said, “I can confirm to you that the suspects — two of them — were intercepted today and, upon their arrest by FAAN operatives, they were handed over to us through the DSS.”

Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Ado Sanusi, explained that the incident began when airline security observed the men attempting to board with unusually heavy bags. “Our security advised them to check the bags in, but they refused. They later admitted the bags contained money. When asked if the money had been declared, they said no,” Sanusi stated.

He added that the individuals claimed to be security agents escorting a suspect with exhibits, but failed to follow standard procedures for transporting suspects. “We informed them that such movements must be pre-notified, as suspects cannot be mixed with regular passengers. Since they didn’t comply with the required protocol, they were denied boarding and later left,” he said.

The EFCC confirmed that the suspects and the seized cash were formally received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali.

Investigations into the source and intended destination of the funds are ongoing.