Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A civil society organisation, the Coalition for Accountability and National Development (CAND), has called on security and anti‑corruption agencies to launch a comprehensive investigation into Senator Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State, over the alleged smuggling of raw gold worth over N4.4 billion through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The call comes after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intercepted a consignment of 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars, estimated to be valued at more than N4.4 billion, which was allegedly being smuggled out of the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 13, 2026, CAND’s National Coordinator, Comrade Ibrahim Musa, described the seizure, which it linked to Senator Yari, as a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal mining and economic sabotage. The group said the illicit exploitation and smuggling of gold and other mineral resources have continued to deprive Nigeria of substantial revenue that could otherwise be channelled into critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and security. “We are happy that the reported interception of gold worth about N4 billion allegedly linked to Yari demonstrates the scale of revenue loss the nation has been suffering due to illicit operations in the mining sector,” the statement said. The coalition further alleged that some politically exposed persons and influential individuals had continued to benefit from illegal mining activities in mineral‑rich states, thereby frustrating ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to reform and regulate the sector. While specifically mentioning Senator Yari in its allegations, the group called on security and anti‑corruption agencies to conduct thorough investigations into all individuals and networks linked to illegal mining and gold smuggling, irrespective of their political status or affiliations. “We urge the authorities to carry out comprehensive investigations and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law. The fight against illegal mining must not be selective if Nigeria is to derive maximum benefits from its vast mineral resources,” the statement added. CAND also argued that illegal mining has contributed to environmental degradation, insecurity and the proliferation of armed groups in several mining communities, particularly across Nigeria’s North‑West region.
The EFCC had earlier announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the gold smuggling ring. According to a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate arrested Ali Baffa, an Aviation Security (AVSEC) Inspector I, along with Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, on Friday, June 11, 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that Baffa allegedly concealed the 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars inside his trousers in an attempt to evade security screening and facilitate the illegal export of the precious minerals through international passengers. The EFCC said Nasidi was responsible for supplying the gold bars to the AVSEC officer. During the operation, operatives recovered several foreign currencies from Nasidi, including 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinars, 20,700 Philippine Pesos, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinars, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forints and 1,000 Sudanese Dinars. The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of Dan Zaria, who allegedly handed over the gold bars to Nasidi for onward transfer. While being questioned by investigators, Dan Zaria reportedly admitted to smuggling about 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11, 2026, using the same method.
A credible insider source within the EFCC disclosed that the consignment was allegedly traced to Senator Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, former Governor of Zamfara State. The source, who was an active member of the interception team, revealed that the gold bars were allegedly being smuggled out of the country with the assistance of Baffa, in collaboration with two other suspects. Those apprehended have since voluntarily confessed to being members of a cartel allegedly controlled by Senator Yari, which is said to be engaged in large‑scale illegal mining operations spanning Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi States. A senior airport security official said that suspicious items were observed concealed in 15 suitcases being loaded aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight destined for Saudi Arabia, and the EFCC was immediately alerted, resulting in the interception of the physical gold bars. Subsequent investigations revealed that a close associate of Senator Yari, identified as a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), allegedly made contact with EFCC officials in a bid to secure the release of the seized gold through inducement. The attempt was firmly rejected. The associate was also denied access to officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service, and airport security authorities. He was subsequently advised to communicate to Senator Yari the need to appear before the Commission for questioning, as Baffa and the two other suspects had explicitly named the former governor as the principal actor in the case.
Senator Yari, who represents Zamfara West in the National Assembly, has categorically denied any involvement in the gold smuggling scandal. In a statement titled “Re: False and Malicious Attempt to Link Senator Abdulaziz Yari to Alleged Gold Seizure” issued by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdullahi Abdulkarim Tsafe, Yari vowed to take legal action against everyone behind the false news. The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious, reckless and politically motivated publication seeking to link the Distinguished Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, to the recent seizure of gold bars by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. We wish to state categorically and without any equivocation that Senator Abdulaziz Yari has absolutely no connection whatsoever to the matter being sensationally reported by some online platforms and their sponsors.” The statement described the publication as false, defamatory, mischievous and clearly designed to tarnish the hard‑earned reputation of Senator Yari, noting that while the EFCC publicly identified individuals arrested in connection with the incident, nowhere in its statement was Senator Yari named as a suspect or person of interest. Yari described the allegations as a politically orchestrated smear campaign lacking any factual basis, adding that his legal team had been directed to commence actions against all individuals, groups and media platforms involved in originating, sponsoring, publishing and amplifying the allegations.
Senator Yari has previously faced allegations of involvement in illegal mining and the diversion of stamp duty revenues, with claims that proceeds were channelled into funding the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The EFCC has not formally named Yari as a suspect in the gold seizure operations, and the seized gold bars remain in the commission’s custody pending the conclusion of investigations. The anti‑graft agency said all three suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the probe. CAND has vowed to support the ongoing investigation to ensure that the truth is unravelled as the developing story unfolds.
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