The Kano Zonal Directorate of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a man named Haruna Yusuf, shortly after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted a large sum of undeclared foreign currencies at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The seized funds include $73,000 US dollars, £15,957 British pounds, and 827,800 Saudi riyals found inside a bag.
The Nigeria Customs Service stated that its officers intercepted the money on two separate occasions between Saturday, August 8, and Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during routine passenger and baggage clearance.
On Saturday, August 8, Customs officers intercepted 827,800 riyals and $53,300 US dollars in a bag arriving on a Saudi Air flight, where the money was concealed inside footwear.
Then on Wednesday, August 12, Customs officers intercepted another bag belonging to a man identified as Haruna Yusuf, who arrived in Kano aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
An examination conducted using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology revealed $20,000 dollars and £15,957 pounds, which were hidden inside the sports shoes.
The Acting Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command, U.U. Adamu, handed over the suspect and the seized funds to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution, provided sufficient evidence of a crime is established.
In his remarks, the Acting Director of the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate, Friday S. Ebelo, commended the Customs Service for its collaboration and the professionalism displayed by its officers in detecting the funds.
Ebelo urged travelers to always declare any foreign currency in their possession when entering or leaving Nigeria, noting that failure to declare large sums of money violates the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
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