EFCC Investigates Foreign Currency Seizure At Kano Airport.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Kano Zonal Directorate, has commenced an investigation into the seizure of $86,500 (eighty-six thousand, five hundred United States dollars), 305,150 (three hundred and five thousand, one hundred and fifty) Saudi Riyals, and 200 Euros at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The funds were discovered in an unaccompanied bag suspected to have been smuggled into the country. The interception occurred on Sunday, 27 April 2025, when a clearing agent, Sale Bala, attempted to retrieve the luggage.
Upon physical inspection, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers found the foreign currencies concealed within bedspreads (duvets) and packs of dates tucked into the bag. Further investigation led to the arrest of Bala and a second suspect, Abdullahi Tahir, who was reportedly assigned to receive the bag after clearance.
The confiscated money was formally handed over to the EFCC by Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdulahi Hashim, and received on behalf of the Commission by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Aminu Bashir.
Both the suspects and the seized funds are currently in the custody of the EFCC and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
The EFCC praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and reiterated the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in protecting the nation’s economy.
In a related development, on Saturday, 26 April 2025, the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Customs Service jointly organised a sensitisation programme aimed at educating stakeholders about the legal requirements for the movement of cash in and out of Nigeria.
The event attracted a large audience, including members of the bureau de change community, travel agencies, airport authorities, pilgrim boards, and representatives of the Kano Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The EFCC emphasised its continued commitment to public enlightenment on financial regulations and the consequences of non-compliance.
