The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Special Area Command, has intercepted two suspected currency smugglers at the Airport in Abuja.
The suspects, Obasi Derek Chidi and Nebo Obunmneme Lloyd were apprehended as they arrived at the airport aboard an Ethiopian Airline Flight 911, connecting from Tel Aviv, Israel on Friday
Spokesman of the agency, Jonah Achema, said in a statement that the suspects were arrested with various sums of hard currencies neatly concealed in their travelling bags, which they failed to declare at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel or upon arrival at Nmadi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“Upon intensive search by officers and men of NDLEA, Lloyd was found with the sum of $371,203; €20,000 and 20 Shekels while Chidi was found with $318, 000.“
NDLEA Commander at the airport, Hamisu Lawan, said preliminary investigation indicated that the money was to be delivered to a recipient in Abuja.
“So far, the couriers could not give account of the source and purpose of the money,” he said.