Customs Intensifies Anti-Money Laundering Efforts, Intercepts Undeclared Foreign Currencies at Kano Airport
By Muhammad Bashir
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies concealed in passengers’ luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, in two separate operations involving 827,800 Saudi Riyals, $73,300 and £15,957.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, disclosed this on Friday, 14 August 2026, during a media briefing, explaining that the seizures followed routine passenger screening with Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology and subsequent secondary examination at the interface table with relevant border security agencies.
DC Adamu said the first interception occurred on 8 August 2026, when officers detected 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300 concealed inside footwear in the luggage of a passenger who arrived on a Saudi Air flight at about 2:20 p.m.
He added that a second interception was recorded on 12 August 2026, when officers flagged a passenger’s luggage during primary screening and subjected it to further examination, leading to the discovery of $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sports shoes. He identified the passenger as Haruna Yusuf, who arrived at MAKIA aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
The Acting Area Controller said the interceptions demonstrated Customs officers’ vigilance and the effectiveness of technology-driven screening procedures in detecting attempts to move undeclared foreign currencies across Nigeria’s borders.
He stated, “The intercepted currencies and a suspect were being handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, for further investigation and appropriate action, in line with the provisions of the NCS Act 2023.”
Receiving the exhibits and suspect, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Kano Zonal Directorate, Friday Ebelo, commended the Customs Service for its professionalism and cooperation, calling for sustained vigilance at the nation’s entry points to frustrate the activities of money launderers and terrorist financiers.
Ebelo said non-declaration or under-declaration of currency exceeding the $10,000 threshold, or its equivalent, constitutes a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and assured that the EFCC would take the necessary legal steps, including seeking an interim forfeiture order where appropriate.
