EFCC Detains Four Police Officers Over $6.1 Million Cash Scandal at Lagos Airport

By Diafa Doubra,

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained four police officers allegedly involved in escorting a staggering $6.1 million in cash through the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The officers, identified as CSP Muhammad Safiyan, ASP Desmond Abella, Inspector Suleiman Jubrin, and Inspector Ali Abubakar, were reportedly accompanying two men — Mamud Abdulras and Yahaya Nasidi who arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight carrying the huge cash sum.

According to reports, the incident occurred on October 11, 2025, at the Domestic Terminal 2 (DT2) of the airport when security officials intercepted the suspects during routine checks. Upon inspection, officials discovered $6,170,000 and £15,000 in their possession.

The money was immediately seized as evidence, while the suspects and the police officers were handed over to the EFCC for further investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the officers claimed they were escorting the men as “suspects,” but investigators have expressed doubts about the legitimacy of that claim.

Sources also revealed that a senior female police officer, who was at the airport to receive the men, is under investigation for her alleged role in the operation.

The EFCC has vowed to uncover the source of the cash and determine whether any state actors or security officials were complicit in the scheme.