Customs Intercepts Over ₦653m in Undeclared Foreign Currency at Kano Airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted foreign currencies worth over ₦653 million at the M...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted foreign currencies worth over ₦653 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), in what authorities are calling a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit financial flows.

The interception was disclosed during a press briefing held Tuesday at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano, where three suspects were formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

According to a statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Nigeria Customs, the operation was based on credible intelligence and vigilant screening by officers stationed at the airport.

One of the suspects, identified as Ahmed Salisu, a Ghanaian passport holder, was flagged by officers upon arrival from Saudi Arabia aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

“Upon arrival, the suspect, like other passengers, was reminded of the legal obligation to declare foreign currencies exceeding $10,000. He declined,” said Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, who addressed journalists on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

“But acting on credible intelligence, our vigilant officers flagged him for additional checks, which led to the discovery of concealed foreign currencies hidden inside cartons of clothing.”

A physical search of Salisu’s baggage reportedly revealed a total of $420,900 (USD), £5,825 (British Pounds Sterling), 3,946,500 West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs — amounting to over ₦653.9 million.

Comptroller Abubakar described the seizure as a significant milestone in the Customs Service’s ongoing efforts to crack down on financial crimes linked to smuggling and money laundering networks.

The EFCC is expected to take over the case and commence further investigation into the source and intended use of the funds.

The arrest and handover come amid renewed government efforts to clamp down on capital flight, illicit currency movement, and other financial crimes that continue to impact Nigeria’s economic stability.