EFCC Investigates Suspect, Undeclared Foreign Currencies Intercepted at Kano Airport
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation into the alleged illegal movement of large amounts of undeclared foreign currencies intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The investigation follows the handover of a suspect, Haruna Yusuf, and the recovered currencies to the EFCC by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, during a ceremony at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
The currencies, which were allegedly concealed in luggage and exceeded the legally permitted declaration threshold, were intercepted during routine primary and secondary screening of arriving passengers between August 8 and August 12, 2026.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Friday S. Ebelo, commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and cooperation.
According to Adamu, the first interception occurred on August 8, 2026, at about 2:20 p.m., when Customs officers conducting passenger screening at MAKIA discovered an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300.
The currencies were reportedly concealed inside footwear found in the luggage.
A second interception was made on August 12, at about 1:50 p.m., when Customs officers flagged a luggage belonging to Haruna Yusuf, who had arrived at MAKIA aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
During secondary screening with Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, officers reportedly discovered $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sports shoes.
The Customs Service subsequently handed over Yusuf, together with the recovered currencies and other exhibits, to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Adamu said the interceptions demonstrated the vigilance and professionalism of Customs personnel in detecting attempts to move undeclared foreign currencies across Nigeria’s borders.
He added that the NCS would continue to deploy technology, intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration to strengthen border controls and protect the integrity of the nation’s financial system.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits, Ebelo commended the Customs Service for its cooperation with EFCC personnel deployed to the airport.
He stressed the need for travellers to comply with Nigeria’s laws governing the movement of foreign currency across international borders.
“We must sustain this vigilance at all our entry points to counter the illegal movement of currency,” Ebelo said, noting that failure to declare large amounts of currency or its equivalent constitutes a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He clarified that travellers are not penalised simply for declaring foreign currency, stressing that the declaration requirement is intended to ensure transparency and enable authorities to address concerns regarding the source of funds where necessary.
“As much as we are Nigerians and we encourage trade in and out of the country, people must adhere to the laws of the land. You must declare the currency you are carrying. If you declare it, nobody will seize your currency,” he said.
The EFCC official assured that the Commission would conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate legal action based on the outcome of the probe.
Both the EFCC and NCS officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their longstanding partnership in the fight against financial crimes, money laundering and the illegal movement of large sums of cash across Nigeria’s borders.
EFCC Investigates Suspect, Undeclared Foreign Currencies Intercepted at Kano Airport