EFCC Arrests And Probes Austrian Man Over Undeclared $800,575, €651,505 At Lagos Airport

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have launched an investigation into Austrian national Kavlak Onal for allegedly failing to declare a significant amount of foreign currency at Lagos airport.

The EFCC disclosed on Wednesday that Onal was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) while attempting to travel to Dubai, UAE aboard an Emirates Airlines flight.

"He was arrested on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos for allegedly failing to declare the sums of $800,575 and €651,505 in his possession," the anti-graft agency said.

While receiving the suspect from the Customs Service, the Head, Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section (FEMS), ACE II Adejumo Richard, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, commended the role of the NCS in the arrest.

“I would like to extend our sincere appreciation and commendation to the Nigerian Customs Service for its outstanding efforts and excellent synergy displayed so far,” he said.

"Your dedication to duty and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in advancing our shared objectives.”

In October 2025, SaharaReporters reported that security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA1) in Lagos arrested a group of passengers allegedly found in possession of $6.1 million in cash.

The suspects, described as a group of young men, were intercepted at the airport’s domestic terminal while preparing to board an Aero Contractors flight.

Security sources familiar with the incident said the suspects were believed to be couriers for a politically exposed person (PEP), although their identities and intended destination were not immediately disclosed.