Security personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos, on Saturday arrested a group of security operatives attempting to board an Aero Contractors flight with $6.1 million in undeclared cash.

According to sources at the airport, the suspects were intercepted during a routine security check as they tried to board the flight with several boxes filled with U.S. dollars.

The money was discovered at the foot of the aircraft after the suspects had passed through initial screening.

Aero Contractors officials reportedly raised an alarm after detecting irregularities in the movement of the boxes and promptly alerted the Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel.

AVSEC officers subsequently handed over the suspects and the seized money to the Department of State Services (DSS) at the airport.

It was later learned that the DSS transferred the suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

Confirming the incident, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said his airline’s security team became suspicious after the individuals refused to check in their boxes.

“They refused to check in the bags, and later said it was money,” Sanusi explained. “When asked if the money had been declared, they said no.

“Our security team then discovered that the individuals were either police officers or some form of security agents, who claimed they were escorting a suspect along with exhibits. That was why they resisted checking in the bags.”

He added that the airline insisted on following proper procedures for transporting suspects or exhibits.

“There are standard protocols for such movements — boarding, deboarding, and in-flight procedures must be strictly observed,” Sanusi said. “Since they failed to comply, they were not allowed to board and eventually left the terminal.”

Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the suspects or the source of the funds as investigations continue.