The Nigerian Customs Service (NC) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command. handed over a suspect with 2,886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, yesterday. The suspect was handed in to the Deputy Controller of MMIA, Abdulamin Bawo, who in a media briefing, stated that four Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cars, were also intercepted with the suspect. According to Bako, the suspect, whose name is Ishaq Abubakar Abubakar, was apprehended when he travelling to Dubai, via an Emirates Evacuation Flight.
Bako said: “At about 1145 hours on August 22, at the departure hall gate ’B’ of the MMIA, Abubakar with Passport Number A08333717 from Kano State travelling to Dubai via Emirates flight was intercepted with 2,863 ATM cards and four SIM cards by our officers on duty. The ATM cards and SIM cards were carefully concealed in noodles carton by the suspect.
The suspect claimed that Mr Musliu was assigned to him to facilitate his movement through the checks at the airport by Mr Suleiman but due to the diligence of our officers who insisted on conducting physical examination, revealed the concealment.”
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Bako noted that the suspect and the items recovered, would be handed over to the EFF, for an in depth investigation, as directed by the Comptroller General of Customs. In addition to this, it was pointed out by Bako, that the suspect claimed he was due for evacuation, and had bought an evacuation ticket for use.
Mr. Smart Akande, Customs Legal Adviser, added that handing over the suspect to the EFCC, showed the collaboration between both agencies. He said: “What we have here is the case file, ATM cards and the noodles used in concealing the ATM cards and we are handing them over to EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.”
The zonal head, EFCC, Lagos, Abdulrasheed Bawa, said the recovered ATM cards could have been used for money laundering or foreign exchange malpractices. He also assured that everyone involved in the conspiracy would be arrested and prosecuted by the commission.
Bawa said: “We have taken over Ishaq Abubakar, who is in possession of 2886 ATM cards concealed in a carton of noddles together with four SIM cards. It is for us here to investigate and know whether the conspiracy is for foreign exchange malpractices or money laundering. We are also to determine whether banks or bankers are involved in this crime. We will investigate and anyone found wanting will be prosecuted alongside the suspect.”
