Security officials attempting to board a flight with over $6.1 million in cash were intercepted and arrested on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2) in Lagos.
The suspects—whose number remains undisclosed—were reportedly caught during a routine security check while trying to board an Aero Contractors flight.
According to sources at the airport, the operatives were found with multiple boxes filled with undeclared U.S. dollars. They had already passed through initial security screening but were stopped at the foot of the aircraft after Aero Contractors’ security personnel noticed their unusually heavy luggage.
The incident was immediately escalated to Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials, who later handed the suspects over to the Department of State Services (DSS). A senior official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the DSS subsequently transferred the suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
Another source told PUNCH that the suspects claimed to be security agents escorting a suspect and exhibits, but they failed to declare the money or follow standard procedures for transporting suspects on commercial flights. This claim initially helped them bypass some screening stages, but their behavior at the boarding gate raised suspicion among AVSEC officers.
Confirming the development, Aero Contractors’ Managing Director, Ado Sanusi, said his airline’s security team became alarmed after the individuals refused to check in their heavy bags.
“Our security noticed some passengers trying to board with very heavy bags. They were asked to check them in, but they refused. When asked what was inside, they said it was money. When further asked if it had been declared, they said no,” Sanusi explained.
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He added that the individuals later claimed to be security personnel escorting a suspect and exhibits, but failed to follow the required notification and boarding procedures for such operations.
“There are clear protocols for transporting suspects. Since they didn’t comply, we refused to allow them to board,” he said.
Repeated attempts to reach the spokespersons of FAAN, Aviation Security, and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (operators of MM2) for comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.
