Nigerian Arrested with N1bn in Niger.

A Nigerian has been arrested carrying carrying 4.6 million Euros (1.05b) in cash at the Diori Hamani airport in Niamey,the capital of Niger Republic , on his way to Dubai by Niger police Authorities'

The Nigerien police said they suspected that the man was fleeing with the money in order to avoid being caught by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been prosecuting an anti-corruption campaign since assumption of office on May 29.

They also expressed worry that there has been a rise in the number of Nigerians transferring huge sums of money in cash through neighbouring countries.

The police in Niger are already working on the suspicion that the money traffickers have accomplices within the country.

Interestingly the authorities in Nigeria on Wednesday claimed ignorance of the money seizure in the neighbouring country though the Customs officers in Niger were already kicking against repatriating the cash to Nigeria.

 The Nigerien authorities has refused to send the seized funds back to Nigeria  

A media report in Niger on Saturday said the National Union of Customs Officers at a press briefing “denounced the request of the Nigerian authorities” to return the seized money.

The senior special adviser to the President  on Media and Publicity, Mr femi Adeshina, when contacted said, i speak for the President on this kind of issues, i will advice you speak with the ministry of foreign affairs.`` he said.

The ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said the ministry has not received any official communication on the Arrest of any Nigerian.

source : Punchng