Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its crackdown on illicit cross‑border cash movement following the interception of $461,600 (Four Hundred and Sixty‑One Thousand, Six Hundred United States Dollars) from two inbound passengers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The development was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Tahir Balarabe, and issued to newsmen on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Kano. According to CSC Balarabe, the suspects, both male and female passengers, arrived in Kano from Dubai on Friday, May 8, 2026, aboard Ethiopian Airlines.
The passengers initially declared $130,000 and $180,000 respectively, totalling $310,000. However, further non‑intrusive baggage profiling raised suspicion, prompting officers to subject their luggage to a secondary examination. The additional search uncovered another $151,600 concealed and undeclared, bringing the total intercepted sum to $461,600. The discovery triggered an immediate investigation, as the undeclared funds far exceeded the statutory threshold that requires mandatory declaration.
Speaking during the formal handover of the suspects and exhibits, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the interception reflects the Service’s growing vigilance against illicit financial flows through Nigeria’s borders. He noted that the suspects had violated relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, stressing that the law places clear obligations on travellers to make honest currency declarations. “The suspects contravened Section 55(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. In line with Section 4(f) of the same Act, we are formally handing over the suspects, the intercepted currencies, and all relevant travel documents to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” DC Adamu said. He commended the leadership of the EFCC for sustained operational cooperation and also appreciated the Comptroller‑General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for strengthening officers through continuous training and intelligence‑driven enforcement.
Receiving the suspects and exhibits on behalf of the Commission, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Kano, Friday Ebelo, praised the professionalism displayed by Customs officers during the operation. Ebelo said the non‑declaration or false declaration of currencies above the statutory threshold remains a serious financial crime under Nigerian law. “Any traveller carrying funds above $10,000 is expected by law to declare it. Anything short of that raises serious concerns about money laundering. I want to assure you that this case will be pursued to its logical conclusion,” Ebelo said. The suspects, the intercepted currencies and other relevant documents were formally handed over to the EFCC on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano.
The Kano airport has become a major hub for cross‑border financial movements, and Customs authorities have stepped up surveillance following intelligence reports of increased cash smuggling through northern air routes. The interception of $461,600 in a single operation is one of the largest currency seizures at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in recent months. The suspects now face possible prosecution for money laundering and violation of the Customs Act. The EFCC has not yet disclosed whether any charges have been filed, but the commission confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
The Nigeria Customs Service has reiterated its commitment to curbing illicit financial flows and urged passengers to comply with currency declaration laws to avoid severe penalties. Under the law, travellers carrying $10,000 or its equivalent must complete a declaration form. Failure to do so, or making false declarations, can lead to seizure of the funds, prosecution, and imprisonment. This case underscores the growing collaboration between the Customs Service and the EFCC in the fight against money laundering and economic sabotage. As investigations continue, the EFCC is expected to release further updates on the progress of the case.
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