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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into a suspect, Haruna Yusuf, following the interception of undeclared foreign currencies worth $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The investigation began after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handed over the suspect and the recovered currencies to the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, formally transferred the suspect and exhibits to the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander Friday S. Ebelo, at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
According to the Customs Service, the foreign currencies, which exceeded the legally permitted declaration threshold, were intercepted during routine passenger screening between August 8 and August 12, 2026.
Adamu disclosed that the first interception occurred on August 8 at about 2:20 p.m., when Customs officers discovered an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300 concealed inside footwear.
He said the second interception took place on August 12 at about 1:50 p.m. when officers flagged the luggage of Haruna Yusuf, who arrived aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941. A secondary screening using non-intrusive inspection technology revealed $20,000 and £15,957 hidden inside sports shoes.
Adamu said the handover was carried out in line with Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers the Service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies.
He noted that the successful interceptions reflected the vigilance and professionalism of Customs officers in detecting the illegal movement of undeclared foreign currencies across Nigeria\'s borders.
According to him, the Command will continue to deploy technology, intelligence and inter-agency collaboration to strengthen border security and safeguard the nation\'s financial system.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, Ebelo commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its professionalism and sustained cooperation with the anti-graft agency.
He stressed the need for continued vigilance at the nation\'s entry points, warning that the failure to declare large sums of money violates the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Ebelo urged travellers to comply with the law, explaining that declaring foreign currency carried across borders does not attract any penalty, provided the source of the funds is legitimate.
He assured that the Commission would conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
Both the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the fight against financial crimes and the illegal movement of cash across Nigeria\'s borders.
