The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained four senior police officers who escorted two men found with $6.1 million in cash at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. This development forms part of an ongoing money laundering investigation by the anti-graft agency, which is probing the source, purpose, and ownership of the large sum of cash seized during a routine airport check on October 11, 2025. The four police officers, identified as CSP Muhammad Safiyan, ASP Desmond Abella, Inspector Suleiman Jubrin, and Inspector Ali Abubakar, have been taken into custody pending further investigations.
Incident Overview
The incident unfolded at Domestic Terminal Two (DT2) of MMIA Lagos, where the two men, Mamud Abdulras and Yahaya Nasidi, were intercepted with the $6.1 million in cash while preparing to board a domestic Aero Contractors flight to Abuja. The cash seizure was reported early in the morning, around 7:52 a.m., before their scheduled flight departure. The men arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Dubai via Addis Ababa shortly before their arrest.
Security officials initially detained the two passengers during a routine check performed by the Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit at the airport. The suspects were holding undeclared foreign cash amounting to $6,180 and £53,415 (approximately N9 million and N105.5 million, respectively), though earlier reports had controversially suggested the seized amount exceeded $6.1 million. The EFCC clarified the exact amount in its official statement.
Role of the Police Officers
The four senior police officers allegedly escorted the two men through the airport. According to preliminary investigations and their own claims, the officers were accompanying the men as suspects linked to an undisclosed operation. This explanation by the officers is currently being questioned by EFCC officials, who are investigating the legitimacy of the escort, the authorisation behind it, and the origin of the funds.
Additionally, a senior female police officer who reportedly received the two men at the domestic terminal is also under investigation to establish her link or role in the incident. The EFCC is determined to unravel the full details surrounding the handling of the cash and the police involvement.
EFCC Response and Investigation
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 is leading the probe into the case, working intensely to understand the full scope of the money laundering operation connected to the seized cash. The commission has detained the two suspects and the four senior police officers for interrogation.
Upon arrest, the travellers were initially handed over to the State Security Service (SSS), which subsequently transferred them to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution. Along with the cash, three mobile phones were also recovered from the suspects, which are likely to play a key role in tracing the cash flow and the network involved. The EFCC has also launched a formal inquiry to pinpoint the ownership of the funds and any possible links to politically exposed persons or other criminal networks.
Legal and Regulatory Context
Under Nigerian law, travellers carrying cash exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent are required to declare such funds to airport authorities. Failure to declare large sums of money may lead to arrest and investigation on grounds of money laundering or related financial crimes. The EFCC’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the violation and the commitment of Nigerian authorities to combat financial crimes at all levels.
The incident has drawn public and media attention amid increasing scrutiny of money laundering and corruption within the Nigerian security apparatus. The EFCC’s actions reflect ongoing efforts to clean up the security sector and hold law enforcement accountable for any collusion in financial crimes.
Statements from Authorities
The EFCC has remained cautious in releasing full details but confirmed the detention of the police officers and suspects, emphasizing that the case is under intense investigation. The commission has reiterated its stance against money laundering and corruption, asserting that no individual or official is above the law.
FAAN (Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria) has not commented extensively, with its spokesperson yet to respond to media inquiries regarding aviation security gaps or procedural lapses that may have allowed such a large cash movement.
A senior AVSEC official confirmed cooperation with EFCC to unravel the full circumstances, indicating that the commission is leaving no stone unturned in this matter.
Implications and Ongoing Monitoring
This case highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s financial and security systems, particularly concerning large cash movements at major transport hubs. It underscores the need for strict enforcement of anti-money laundering laws and robust oversight of security personnel.
The EFCC’s investigation will likely have wider repercussions as the commission looks to trace the origins of the funds and any potential political or criminal linkages. The involvement of senior police officers raises critical questions about institutional integrity and efforts to combat corruption within the Nigeria Police Force.
The public and regulatory bodies are closely monitoring the probe, anticipating further disclosures and potential prosecutions that will set a precedent for handling similar cases in the future.