By Peter Jatau | July 9, 2025
KANO — In a major breakthrough in the fight against financial crimes, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted foreign currencies worth over N653.9 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The seizure, which occurred during a clearance operation, was made public on Monday, July 8, during a press briefing at the Customs House, Bompai, Kano.
Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, Customs Area Controller for the Kano/Jigawa Command, disclosed that the operation was based on credible intelligence. Officers flagged a suspect, Ahmed Salisu, a Ghanaian passport holder, who arrived from Saudi Arabia aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Upon inspection of his luggage, officers discovered several foreign currencies concealed within cartons of clothing. The confiscated currencies include $420,900, £5,825, 3,946,500 West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs.
The NCS promptly handed over the suspect and the intercepted funds to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Comptroller Abubakar described the bust as a “significant milestone” in the service’s clampdown on money laundering and smuggling operations. He noted that such financial crimes are often linked to broader national security threats.
Speaking at the joint briefing, the EFCC Zonal Director in Kano commended the customs officers for their vigilance and professionalism. He stressed the critical role of inter-agency collaboration in combating financial crimes, particularly in cases where illicit cash movements have been linked to terrorism, banditry, and transnational criminal syndicates.
He further emphasized that the seizure aligns with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which mandate travelers to declare foreign currency exceeding $10,000 at the nation’s borders.
The EFCC pledged to pursue the prosecution of the case in accordance with the law and called on members of the public and stakeholders to remain vigilant and support intelligence-sharing efforts to curb future infractions.
The intercepted currencies remain in EFCC custody as investigations continue.
