EFCC discovers N49m in sacks at Kaduna airport (updated)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intercepted a cash of N49 million hidden in five sacks at the Kaduna international airport.

The bags contained crispy naira notes of N200 denomination in 20 bundles, totaling forty million naira and N50 denomination in 180 bundles, totaling nine million naira.

Ibrahim Bappa, head of the Kaduna zonal office of the agency, said the money was found at the baggage check-in of the airport.

Bappa said the owner initially identified himself, but fled before the arrival of operatives of the agency.

He added that the money had been handed over to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for “onward transfer” to EFCC recovery account.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna zonal office on the 13th of March, 2017 intercepted an undeclared sum of N49 million in five large black 150kg coloured sack following an intelligence report received by the zone,” he said.

“The report, which was made at about 8:00pm, stated that during the routine baggage screening of supposed checked in baggage, five sacks were sighted unattended to and without tags containing fresh bulk items suspected to be money, from the aroma perceived.

“The owner of the money later showed up but couldn’t state the exact money in the sack or present any document authenticating the genesis of the monies.

“However, his inability to give any concrete explanation made him become uncomfortable and he disappeared into thin air before the arrival of the EFCC operatives according to our source of information.

“They found out that the suspect had fled the airport vicinity, leaving the sack behind and upon careful scrutiny of the contents of the sacks, it was discovered that the sacks contained fresh crispy naira notes N200 denomination in 200 bundles totaling N40 million and N50 denomination in 180 bundles totaling N9 million all sealed purportedly emanating from the Nigerian Security and Minting Plc (NSPM) as seen in the labeled sealed packs.

“There is no arrest yet but investigation is ongoing with a view to identify the owner and apprehend all those behind the crime.”