The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a suspect, Haruna Yusuf, after the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted huge sums of undeclared foreign currencies at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The currencies recovered include $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals, which Customs said were intercepted during separate operations at the airport between August 8 and August 12, 2026.
Yusuf and the recovered cash were handed over to the EFCC by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
The EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate received the suspect and the exhibits for further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to Customs, the first interception occurred on August 8 when officers screening passengers at the airport discovered an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage.
The bag reportedly contained 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300, with the cash allegedly hidden inside footwear.
Four days later, on August 12, another luggage belonging to Yusuf was flagged after he arrived in Kano aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
Customs officers subjected the luggage to secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology and allegedly discovered $20,000 and £15,957 hidden inside sports shoes.
The two seizures brought the total foreign currency intercepted to $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals.
The Customs official said the seizures were part of the agency’s efforts to stop the illegal movement of large amounts of undeclared cash across Nigeria’s borders.
He explained that the suspect and all recovered exhibits were formally transferred to the EFCC in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which provides for collaboration between Customs and other border agencies.
Receiving the suspect and cash on behalf of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the Kano Directorate, Friday S. Ebelo, commended Customs officers for their cooperation.
Ebelo warned travellers against moving large sums of foreign currency without making the required declaration.
He said failure to declare such funds could amount to a violation of Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
The EFCC official, however, clarified that declaring currency is not an offence and does not automatically lead to its seizure.
He urged travellers to comply with the rules, stressing that the authorities would only raise concerns where the source or movement of undeclared funds required further investigation.
The EFCC said it would now conduct a thorough investigation into the suspect, the recovered currencies and the circumstances surrounding their movement into the country.
The latest seizure further highlights the growing collaboration between Customs and the EFCC in tackling suspected money laundering and the movement of illicit cash through Nigeria’s airports and other entry points.
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