EFCC Arraigns Austrian National Over Undeclared $800,585 and €651,505 at Lagos Airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Austrian national Kavlak Onal for allegedly failing to declare large sums of foreign currency at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Onal was intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service while attempting to travel to Dubai, with $800,585 and €651,505 in his possession, reportedly concealed and undeclared. He was subsequently handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.

The Head of the Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section, ACE II Adejumo Richard, commended the Customs Service for their cooperation in the arrest, emphasizing the importance of synergy between security agencies in combating financial crimes.

This incident follows previous cases involving undeclared foreign currencies at Nigerian airports, including the interception of $6.1 million from passengers suspected to be couriers for politically exposed persons (PEPs).

The EFCC continues to intensify efforts against financial crimes, highlighting its commitment to enforcing compliance with Nigeria’s foreign currency declaration laws.


#EFCC #FinancialCrime #NigeriaSecurity”

Lagos Airport Police Arrest Suspected International Romance Fraudster Over Alleged ₦1 Billion U.S. Scam as Nigeria Police Uncover Celebrity Impersonation, Crypto Fraud and Gift Card Scheme

The Nigeria Police Force, Airport Police Command in Lagos, has arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Essien Emmanuel Akpama, over his alleged involvement in an international romance and celebrity fraud operation that reportedly defrauded victims in the United States of over ₦1 billion (more than $1 million). According to a police statement, Akpama was apprehended on January 5, 2026, by operatives of the Anti-Fraud Unit while attempting to board a flight out of Lagos following months of intelligence-led surveillance.
Police said the suspect previously lived in Calabar before relocating to Lagos in February 2024 and allegedly used a sophisticated online scam, including a cryptocurrency platform known as “BullRun 2.0,” to deceive victims. In one case, investigators said he convinced a 47-year-old U.S.-based woman to transfer $1 million under the guise of purchasing property in Florida for an orphanage. Another victim, a 70-year-old woman, was reportedly defrauded of over ₦25.7 million through the purchase of gift cards and high-end electronic devices that were shipped to Nigeria.
Items recovered from the suspect include multiple smartphones and a MacBook laptop valued at over ₦8 million. Police said Akpama posed as a 60-year-old United Nations orthopedic surgeon to gain trust and facilitate the fraud. The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to prevent airports from being used as escape routes for criminal suspects. The case has been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Special Fraud Unit, and the suspect is expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

NDLEA Arrests Ex-Convict, Three Others Over UK-Bound Cocaine
Babafemi said the arrests followed the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.50 kilograms, at the Lagos airport.

NDLEA Arrests Ex-Convict and Three Cargo Agents Over UK-Bound Cocaine at Lagos Airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, a notorious ex-convict, and three cargo agents—Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane—at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 75 parcels of cocaine (1.5 kg) to London. Basil, 37, had previously been convicted in May 2023 for trafficking 30.10 kg of methamphetamine and sentenced to five years imprisonment, which he commuted by paying a ₦7 million fine. Following a sting operation, he was apprehended at a relaxation centre in Ikeja. NDLEA highlighted that Basil’s return to drug trafficking underscores weaknesses in Nigeria’s sentencing and justice system. The suspects are in custody, and investigations are ongoing.

Customs Intercepts N2.28bn From Dubai-bound Austrian National At Lagos Airport
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday stated that it intercepted the sum of €651,505 and $800,575, valued at approximately N2.28 billion, from an Austrian national at the airport.

The suspect, identified as Kavlak Onal, an Austrian citizen, was en route to Dubai aboard Emirates Airlines on Saturday, December 13, 2025, when he was arrested by the Anti-Money Laundering Unit of the Command.

EFCC Investigates Austrian for Failing to Declare $800,575 and €651,505 at Lagos Airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigating Austrian national Kavlak Onal for allegedly failing to declare $800,575 and €651,505 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to travel to Dubai. Onal was arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service on December 16, 2025. EFCC officials praised the NCS for their collaborative efforts in the arrest. This follows previous cases where large sums of undeclared cash were intercepted at the airport, highlighting ongoing concerns over undeclared foreign currency and illicit financial activities.

Drug Kingpin Arrested at Lagos Airport While Attempting Umrah Trip, NDLEA Seizes 148.3KG of Colos.

Operatives of the National drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 40-year-old wanted drug baron, Yussuf Abayomi Azeez, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, while he was attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

According to the NDLEA, the arrest followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on his activities. 

Azeez, who was previously arrested in the United Kingdom for drug-related offences, reportedly jumped bail and fled to Nigeria, where he later set up a large clandestine drug laboratory in the Lekki area of Lagos for the production of “colorado,” a dangerous synthetic strain of cannabis, along with other illicit substances.

He was apprehended around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, 6th November 2025, just before boarding his flight. 

NDLEA operatives then led him to his operational base at 17 Vincent Eku Street, Ogombo, Lekki, which had already been under monitoring. At the lab, officers also arrested another suspect, 43-year-old Abideen Kekere-Ekun.

A search of the facility led to the dismantling of the production equipment and the seizure of precursor chemicals and finished drugs, including colorado weighing a total of 148.3 kilograms.

The agency says investigations are ongoing, and further charges will be filed accordingly.

Identities Of Suspects Caught With $6.1million Cash At Lagos Airport Revealed

This Is Not Labour Office’ – Oshiomhole Speaks On Senate Warning Over ‘Khaki’ Outfit.

Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has clarified why he stopped wearing khaki to the Senate chamber.
[BREAKING] VIDEO: Drama As Oshiomhole Shuts Down Lagos Airport Terminal After Missing His Flight Oshiomhole, speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, said that some commentators had suggested his change of dressing was due to the influence of political office.

However, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president said he had been cautioned several times against wearing his trademark khaki attire to plenary.

According to the Senator, his decision to stop wearing ‘Khaki’ was a matter of compliance with Senate rules because there is a dress code.

He said, “The ‘senator’ (wear) thing I need to clear it. I watched one analysis, where it was said that ”even Oshiomhole, power changes people. He no longer wears ‘khaki’.

“Do you know that I am not allowed with all my human right? I’m not allowed, I don’t have the right to wear those khaki to the Senate Because they have a dress code.

“And I have seen, I was there for a couple of times, they warned me, “please, this is not labour office.”

Meanwhile, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, has slammed Oshiomhole over his comment on the insecurity in the North.

Oshiomhole had recently stated that the insecurity in the North was tied to the activities of illegal mining in the region, stressing that top personnel were using choppers to carry out gold from the area.

Oshiomhole Is Part Of The Problem In Nigeria’ Yusuf Blasts NASS Over Failure To Checkmate Tinubu.

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, has slammed the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, over his comment on the insecurity in the North.
[BREAKING] VIDEO: Drama As Oshiomhole Shuts Down Lagos Airport Terminal After Missing His Flight.

Oshiomhole had recently stated that the insecurity in the North was tied to the activities of illegal mining in the region, stressing that top personnel were using choppers to carry out gold from the area.

Reacting to the remark, Yusuf, in an interview with Punch, opined that the former Governor of Edo State was part of the problem in Nigeria.

Taking a swipe at the 10th National Assembly, Yusuf said the lawmakers have failed to checkmate President Bola Tinubu, despite the violation of the constitution.

According to Yusuf, the 10th National Assembly is the most docile National Assembly since the beginning of democratic rule, adding that they never stopped anything, but were only interested in earning salaries without doing anything.

He said, “Adams Oshiomhole doesn’t know anything about the level of insecurity in the North, and he is part of the problem in Nigeria. The 10th National Assembly is a do-nothing National Assembly. They have allowed the President free rein without checking him.

“He gets loans from all over the place, and this is going to cripple the lives of our grandchildren. They never checkmated him. If Senator Adams Oshiomhole wants to grandstand and be in the newspapers, he is welcome. But he is as much a problem for this country as the President is.

“The 10th National Assembly is the most docile National Assembly we’ve had since the beginning of democratic rule. They never stopped anything, and all they are interested in is seeing an alert and doing nothing. They don’t ask the questions on behalf of the constituents who elected them. The whole 10th National Assembly is a failure.

“They have failed Nigerians because they are not checkmating this President. He is doing whatever he likes, violating the constitution in his appointments. Section 14(3) and 14(4) of the Constitution call for the President to ensure that whatever he does reflects the federal character. This is not what the President is doing, and nobody is asking him.

“He is getting loans all over the world, approved by them (the National Assembly), with nothing to show for it. People are suffering every day; people are hungry all across the land. You don’t hear any senator, including Senator Adams, telling the President that his government is cruel. He is not running this nation with the milk of human kindness.”

Ibom Air: NCAA Meets Passenger Comfort Emanson, Crew Members

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it has met with Comfort Emanson, the Ibom Air passenger who clashed with crew members and assaulted a flight attendant during an August 10 flight from Uyo to Lagos.

NCAA spokesman Michael Achimugu confirmed on Thursday that Emanson attended the meeting with her lawyer. He added that the agency had earlier held talks with crew members as part of an ongoing investigation involving its aviation security, operations, legal, and consumer protection departments.

The incident, which went viral on social media, drew mixed reactions after Emanson was filmed in a heated altercation with a flight attendant and later confronted security agents at Lagos airport.

She was initially arrested, arraigned, and remanded in prison, but later released after charges were dropped.

#IbomAir #AviationSafety #Nigeria

Ibom Air: Comfort Emmanson’s Lawyer Speaks On Her Next Plan After Release From Kirikiri.

Her lawyer, Adefunke Maria, disclosed this on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, condemning the treatment her client received from the airline’s flight attendant, who allegedly blocked her from disembarking after a flight from Akwa Ibom to Lagos last Sunday.

Maria said, “On the way forward, whether Comfort will allow the sleeping dogs lie, she will inform us, we can’t disclose that online. She is a full-grown adult. If she is going to press civil charges for compensation, she will let us know. But for now, we can’t decide for her. She will revert.

“For now, she just needs to rest, put herself together.”

Viral videos showed Emmanson and a flight attendant engaging in a physical altercation as security officials tried to intervene. While many Nigerians criticised her aggressive reaction, others faulted the attendant for preventing her from leaving the aircraft.

Particular outrage was directed at the alleged indecent exposure Emmanson suffered during the confrontation with ground staff at the Lagos airport.

Maria accused the airline’s staff of filming the incident and leaking the footage online, an action she strongly condemned.

Emmanson was arrested at the airport, arraigned in court, and remanded in prison the same day. The speed of her prosecution fuelled accusations of selective justice, with calls for similar treatment of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, also known as Kwam 1, who attempted to block a moving ValueJet aircraft in Abuja on August 5, 2025, but was not prosecuted.

On August 13, 2025, Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, ordered that all charges against Emmanson be dropped, leading to her release. He also directed airline operators to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her.

Despite her release, social media users continue to urge her to seek legal redress. For now, her lawyer says she is taking time to rest and “put herself together” before deciding on her next move.

BREAKING: Ibom Air has placed a travel ban on Comfort Emmanson, for assaulting members of the airline’s Uyo–Lagos flight crew at the Lagos airport yesterday.

FG Approves ₦712.26bn for Major Redevelopment of Lagos Airport Terminal.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a massive ₦712.26 billion revamp of Terminal One at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). The move is part of a broader ₦900 billion aviation upgrade plan nationwide.

Announced after Thursday’s FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, the contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). OThe overhaul will strip the old terminal down to its structural frame and install modern mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

Also included is an expansion of Terminal Two, featuring a new apron, bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure. Altogether, Lagos-related works account for the bulk of the approved spending ₦712.26 billion making it one of Nigeria’s largest-ever single-location aviation investments.

To boost airport security, FEC approved ₦49.9 billion for a 14.6km perimeter fence at MMIA. It will include:Intrusion detection systems,CCTV surveillance,Solar-powered floodlights,Patrol roads,A modern command and control centre.

“Any intrusion will be detected in real time, with precise location tracking,” said Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo. Other key airport projects approved include:Malam Aminu Kano Int’l Airport: Runway/taxiway rehabilitation and CAT 2 lighting – ₦46.39bn (24 weeks),Port Harcourt Int’l Airport: Similar upgrades – ₦42.14bn,Lagos MMIA Domestic Wing: Runway and taxiway lighting upgrade to CAT 2 LED – ₦44.13bn (30 weeks).

To decongest the domestic terminal in Lagos, 82,000 sqm of apron space will be reconstructed in phases over 17.5 months at a cost of ₦24.27bn.

Adams Oshiomole called out for allegedly causing a scene at Lagos airport terminal after missing his flight.