Man caught in Lagos Airport with 2,886 ATM cards

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is investigating one Ishaq Abubakar over his possession of 2,886 automated teller machine (ATM) cards. 

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesman, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Abubakar was apprehended on August 22 by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos state.

The NCS handed over the suspect to the EFCC on Thursday for investigation.

The Cutoms Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Abudulmumuni Bako, who represented the Customs Area Comptroller, A. Ma’aji, said that the suspect, who claimed to have come from Kano to travel to Dubai aboard the Emirate Evacuation flight, was seen with someone who was assigned to facilitate his movement through the airport checks.

“Officers of the Customs service intercepted the suspect with 2,886 ATM cards and four SIM cards, which he carefully concealed in parks of Noodles.

“This raised the suspicion of the officers who insisted he should be physically and thoroughly checked after the scan machine had revealed he was carrying parks (sic) of noodles,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos zonal head, AbdulRasheed Bawa, who received the suspect on behalf of the commission, assured that the commission would investigate the suspect and others.

According to him, “we have taken over Ishaq and I can assure you that we are going to investigate the matter thoroughly and unveil everybody involved in the syndicate.

“There are a number of possibilities. There is an element of conspiracy, foreign exchange (FOREX) malpractices and money laundering.

“Indeed, banks and bankers are definitely involved.”

Mr Bawa also emphasised the possibility of the suspect being a member of a criminal network.

“In recent months, we have observed a trend in which unsuspecting Nigerians are lured into opening accounts to be bought at a fee.

“Most bankers are not carrying out their duties with due diligence, particularly the Know Your Customers, (KYC), procedural check,” he said.