EFCC Probes Suspect After Customs Seize $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 SAR at Kano Airport
Kano, Nigeria – August 17, 2026—The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened a formal investigation into a suspect and substantial sums of undeclared foreign currency seized by the Nigeria Customs Service at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC took custody of the suspect, identified as Haruna Yusuf, along with $73,000, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals after they were handed over by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu.
Two Separate Interceptions
According to Customs, the seizures occurred during routine primary and secondary screenings of arriving passengers between August 8 and 12, 2026.
On August 8, at about 14:20 hours, officers screening baggage at the airport intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300. The money was found concealed inside footwear.
Four days later, on August 12 at approximately 13:50 hours, officers flagged luggage belonging to Haruna Yusuf, who had arrived on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
Using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology during secondary screening, they discovered $20,000 and £15,957 hidden inside sportswear shoes.
The total amount of U.S. dollars recovered across both operations stands at $73,000. All the intercepted sums exceeded the legally permitted threshold for undeclared currency.
Handover and Legal Framework
Deputy Comptroller Adamu formally transferred the suspect and the recovered exhibits to the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1), Friday S. Ebelo.
The handover was carried out under Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which allows the Service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies.
Adamu praised the vigilance of his officers and stressed the Command’s commitment to using technology, professional expertise, and inter-agency cooperation to protect Nigeria’s financial system.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, Ebelo thanked the Customs Service for its professionalism.
He described the failure to declare large sums of currency as a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“We must sustain this vigilance at all our entry points to counter the illegal movement of currency,” Ebelo said. He reminded travellers that declaring currency attracts no penalty; only the source of undeclared funds may raise legal concerns.
Broader Message to the Public
Ebelo urged Nigerians engaged in legitimate trade to comply with the law. “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,” he stated.
Both officials highlighted the longstanding synergy between the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service as critical to combating financial crimes and illegal cash movements across the country’s borders.
The EFCC has affirmed that it will conduct a thorough investigation and pursue prosecution in accordance with the law.
The Commission continues to emphasize that inter-agency collaboration remains essential in safeguarding Nigeria’s financial integrity at international entry points.
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