George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted over N653.9 million worth of undeclared foreign currencies at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The seizure was announced on Monday, July 8, 2025, during a press briefing held at the Customs House, Bompai, Kano.
The Customs Area Controller for Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, revealed that the interception followed credible intelligence and a vigilant clearance operation by officers at the airport. A suspect, Ahmed Salisu, a holder of a Ghanaian passport, was flagged upon arrival from Saudi Arabia onboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Upon searching his baggage, officers discovered concealed foreign currencies hidden inside cartons of clothing, amounting to $420,900, £5,825, 3,946,500 West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs. The total value of the seized currencies is estimated to be over N653.9 million.
The NCS handed over the intercepted funds and the suspect to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution. Comptroller Abubakar described the interception as a milestone in the ongoing crackdown on financial crimes linked to smuggling networks and money laundering.
The EFCC’s Zonal Director of its Kano Command praised the synergy between both agencies and reaffirmed the EFCC’s determination to pursue prosecution of the case in accordance with the law. He emphasized that cash smuggling has been a funding lifeline for terrorism, banditry, and transnational crimes.
The seizure was made in line with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which require mandatory declaration of foreign currency exceeding $10,000 at Nigeria’s borders. The EFCC official commended the efforts of Customs officers involved in the operation and urged stakeholders to remain alert and continue sharing intelligence to prevent future breaches.
