Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A routine screening of arriving passengers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport has uncovered a sophisticated attempt to smuggle undeclared foreign currencies out of Nigeria, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) commenced investigations into a suspect, Haruna Yusuf, following the interception of multiple undeclared foreign currencies totalling $73,000, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals. The currencies, which were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) between August 8 and August 12, 2026, were discovered concealed inside footwear and sportswear shoes in two separate incidents, exposing a troubling trend in the illegal movement of cash across Nigeria’s borders. The EFCC made the development public on its official Facebook page on Monday, August 17, 2026.
According to the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, the first interception occurred on August 8, 2026, at approximately 2:20 p.m., when officers conducting passenger screening at the baggage section of MAKIA intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300 concealed inside a footwear. The second interception took place on August 12, 2026, at about 1:50 p.m., when Customs officers flagged a luggage belonging to Haruna Yusuf, who had arrived at the airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941. During secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, $20,000 USD and £15,957 were found concealed inside sportswear shoes.
The suspect and the recovered currencies were formally handed over to the EFCC by Adamu at the Customs Area Command in Kano, in accordance with Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers the Service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies. The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC I, Friday S. Ebelo, received the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the Commission, commending the Customs Service for its professionalism and cooperation with EFCC personnel recently deployed to the airport.
Ebelo stressed the need for sustained vigilance at Nigeria’s entry points to curb the illegal movement of currency, warning that the failure to declare large sums of currency and its equivalent is a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He urged members of the public to comply with the law, emphasising that declaring foreign currency does not attract any penalty, while failure to declare large sums could raise legal concerns regarding the source of the funds. “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 said.
Adamu described the interceptions as evidence of the vigilance of Customs officers in detecting attempts to move large amounts of undeclared foreign currency across Nigeria’s borders, noting that the Command would continue to deploy technology, professional expertise and intelligence-driven measures, alongside inter-agency collaboration, to strengthen border controls and protect the integrity of the country’s financial system.
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a thorough investigation and, where necessary, prosecuting those found to have violated the law, stressing that the Commission would continue to act within the provisions of the law. Both Ebelo and Adamu commended the longstanding collaboration between the EFCC and NCS, describing the partnership as critical to combating financial crimes and the illegal movement of cash across Nigeria’s borders.
The interception of the undeclared currencies highlights the persistent challenge of cash smuggling at Nigerian airports and the determination of law enforcement agencies to enforce compliance with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. As the investigation progresses, the case of Haruna Yusuf serves as a stark warning to travellers who attempt to evade currency declaration requirements: ignorance of the law is no excuse, and the consequences of non-compliance can be severe.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments