Nigeria Customs Foils $461,600 Smuggling Attempt at Kano Airport, Hands Over to EFCC

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted $461,600 in United States currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and transferred two suspects and the seized funds to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. The interception occurred during routine passenger screening procedures supported by enhanced non-intrusive inspection and risk profiling measures at the airport. The Service said the action was in line with existing regulations governing currency declaration for international travellers. The development was contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Tahir Balarabe, and shared by the Customs Service on Friday. According to the statement, the suspects, a male and a female passenger, arrived in Kano from Dubai on Friday, 8 May 2026, aboard Ethiopian Airlines. During initial processing, both passengers made currency declarations, which later triggered further checks based on risk assessment indicators. “Both travellers initially declared 130,000 dollars and 180,000 dollars respectively. However, further non-intrusive baggage profiling raised suspicion, prompting officers to subject their luggage to secondary examination,” CSC Balarabe stated. He explained that the secondary examination led to the discovery of additional undeclared United States currency concealed within their luggage. The additional amount recovered was $151,600, bringing the total sum intercepted to $461,600. The Command stated that the findings reflect the application of intelligence-led enforcement procedures and the use of technology in identifying discrepancies during passenger screening at international points of entry. Speaking during the formal handover of the suspects and exhibits, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the action was carried out in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He noted that the suspects were being transferred to the EFCC for further investigation in line with statutory provisions governing currency declaration and financial crime enforcement. “The suspects contravened Section 55(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. In line with Section 4(f) of the same Act, we are formally handing over the suspects, the intercepted currencies, and all relevant travel documents to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” he said. DC Adamu added that collaboration between Customs and anti-graft agencies remains important in enforcing compliance with financial regulations and addressing offences related to cross-border currency movement. Receiving the suspects and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC, the Acting Zonal Director of the Commission in Kano, Friday Ebelo, confirmed receipt of the items and commended the Customs Service for its procedural handling of the case. He noted that Nigerian law requires travellers to declare any amount exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent, and that failure to comply constitutes a breach of financial reporting regulations. “Any traveller carrying funds above 10,000 dollars is expected by law to declare it. Anything short of that raises serious concerns about money laundering. I want to assure you that this case will be pursued to its logical conclusion,” Ebelo said. He added that the Commission would conduct further investigations into the source and purpose of the funds in line with its statutory mandate. The NCS stated that the interception was carried out under its mandate to monitor cross-border movement of goods and currency, and to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s financial disclosure requirements at ports of entry. Under existing regulations, travellers entering or leaving Nigeria are required to declare any currency or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent. Authorities say the measure is intended to promote financial transparency and prevent illicit financial flows. The suspects, along with the seized currency and travel documents, were formally handed over to the EFCC on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano, for further investigation and possible prosecution.