Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation into a suspect, Haruna Yusuf, over multiple undeclared foreign currencies intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The currencies, comprising 73,300 dollars, 15,957 pounds sterling and 827,800 Saudi Riyals, were intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during routine screening of arriving passengers.
The Acting Customs Area Comptroller, Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, handed over Yusuf and the recovered currencies to the EFCC at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
According to Adamu, the interceptions were made in two separate operations on Aug. 8 and Aug. 12.
He said that on Aug. 8, at about 2:20 p.m., Customs officers screening passengers at MAKIA intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and 53,300 dollars.
Adamu said the currencies were concealed inside footwear.
He added that on Aug. 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, 20,000 dollars and 15,957 pounds were found concealed inside sportswear shoes,” he said.
Adamu subsequently handed over Yusuf and the recovered currencies to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
He said the handover was in line with 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 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.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the Kano Directorate, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, commended the Customs Service for its cooperation and professionalism.
Ebelo said vigilance at all entry points must be sustained to check 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.
He urged members of the public to comply with the law, stressing that declaring foreign currency did not attract a penalty, while 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,” Ebelo said.
The EFCC said investigations into the matter were ongoing.
