Di Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) don begin investigation into one Haruna Yusuf after di Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercept plenty undeclared foreign currency for Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
According to di Acting Customs Area Comptroller for di Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, di interceptions happen between August 8 and August 12, 2026, during routine screening of arriving passengers. Di currencies wey dem find no be small thing—$73,000, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals.
Adamu explain say di first interception happen on August 8, 2026, around 2:20 p.m. Whedi Customs officers dey screen baggage for MAKIA, dem see one unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage wey contain 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300 wey dem hide inside footwear.
Di second one happen on August 12, whedi officers flag luggage wey belong to Yusuf, wey arrive for Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941. During secondary screening with Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, dem discover $20,000 and £15,957 wey dem hide inside sportswear shoes.
Adamu don hand over Yusuf and di recovered exhibits to di Kano Zonal Directorate of EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution. E cite Section 4(f) of di Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, wey give di service power to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies.
E talk say di interceptions show di vigilance of Customs officers. “Di Command go continue to deploy technology, professional expertise, and intelligence-driven measures, including inter-agency collaboration to strengthen border controls and protect di integrity of Nigeria’s financial systems,” Adamu tok.
Receiving di suspect and exhibits on behalf of di EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, di Acting Zonal Director of di Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of di EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, commend di Customs Service for di cooperation. Ebelo say di movement of large sums of undeclared currency need sustained vigilance.
Ebelo stress say failure to declare large sums of currency na violation of di Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. E urge travellers to declare di cash wey dem carry, saying declaration no be penalty. “Once more, we call on di general public: as much as we be Nigerians and we encourage trade in and out of di country, people must adhere to di laws of di land. You must declare di currency wey you dey carry. If you declare am, nobody go seize your currency,” Ebelo talk.
Both agencies also emphasise di importance of dia longstanding cooperation for tackling financial crimes, undeclared cash movements, and other illicit financial activities for Nigeria’s borders.
