Attempts by some individuals to board a flight with over $6.1 million in cash was foiled yesterday at the domestic wing of of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 Lagos by vigilant airline and aviation security personnel.
Following the suspicious action of the individuals, who failed to declare the huge sums stashed in multiple boxes and taken to the foot of the aircraft without meeting the standard procedures, the money was intercepted and the individuals arrested by anti-graft agency personnel.
According to multiple airport sources, although the number of the suspects could not be established, the infractions were detected during routine checks while trying to board an Aero Contractors flight.
Airport sources hinted that the suspect had initially passed through airport security units before they were apprehended at the foot of the aircraft after Aero Contractors security noticed the heavy luggage.
The matter was then documented and was reported to Aviation Security, who later handed the individuals over to the Department of State Services(DSS).
Airport officials said the DSS later transferred the individuals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where they were being held for further investigation.
There were conflicting reports on the status of the individuals, who sources claimed to be security agents escorting a suspect and exhibits, but failed to declare the cash or follow due procedures for transporting suspects on commercial flights.
The claim of the individuals suggesting that they are security personnel could have been exploited to breach initial security screening.
However, their activities raised suspicion at the boarding gate when AVSEC officers noticed the oversized boxes.
An official of Aero Contractors confirmed the incident, saying his airline’s security team grew suspicious after the individuals refused to check in their heavy bags.
The official explained that the bags contained money, and when asked if it had been declared, the suspects said our security noticed some passengers trying to board our aircraft with bags that were quite heavy.
“Our security team advised them to check the bags in, as they could not be carried into the cabin.
“They refused to check the bags in, and later they said it was money.
“At that point, our security personnel discovered that the individuals were either police officers or some form of security agents, who claimed they were escorting a suspect along with exhibits. That was why they resisted checking in the bags.
“We then informed them that if they were transporting a suspect, they were required to notify us in advance.
“There are standard procedures for moving suspects; we don’t mix them with regular passengers.
“There are boarding, deboarding, and in-flight protocols that must be followed in such cases. Since they failed to follow these procedures, they were not allowed to board, and they eventually left.”
Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the terminal operator, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, were yet to comment on the development.