The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced 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 currencies were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during routine primary and secondary screening of arriving passengers between August 8 and August 12, 2026.
The suspect and the recovered currencies were formally handed over to the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1), Friday S. Ebelo, said the Commission had commenced a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to Adamu, the Customs Service made two separate interceptions.
He said that on August 8, 2026, at about 2:20 p.m., officers conducting passenger screening at the baggage area of MAKIA intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300.
The currencies, he said, were concealed inside footwear.
Adamu added that on August 12, at about 1:50 p.m., Customs officers flagged a luggage belonging to Yusuf, who arrived at MAKIA aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
During secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, he said, officers discovered $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sports shoes.
The Acting Comptroller said the suspect and all the recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
He explained that the handover was carried out pursuant to Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers the Service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies.
Adamu said the interceptions demonstrated the vigilance of Customs officers in detecting the cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currencies above the permitted threshold.
He added that the Command would continue to deploy technology, professional expertise and intelligence-driven measures, alongside inter-agency collaboration, to strengthen border controls and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.
In his remarks, Ebelo expressed appreciation to the Customs Service for its professionalism and cooperation with EFCC officers recently deployed to the airport.
“We must sustain this vigilance at all our entry points to counter the illegal movement of currency. The failure to declare large sums of currency and its equivalent is a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” he said.
Ebelo urged members of the public to comply with the law, stressing that declaring currency does not attract any penalty, although the source of undeclared funds could raise legal concerns.
“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.
He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigation and pursuing prosecution where necessary in accordance with the law.
Both the EFCC and Customs officials commended the longstanding collaboration between the two agencies, describing the partnership as critical to combating financial crimes and the illegal movement of cash across Nigeria’s borders.
