The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigation into a suspect, Haruna Yusuf, and multiple undeclared foreign currencies comprising $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
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The EFCC disclosed on Monday that its Kano Zonal Directorate began the investigation after the suspect and the intercepted currencies were formally handed over by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U. U. Adamu, at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
According to the anti-graft agency, the foreign currencies exceeded the legally permitted declaration threshold and were discovered during routine primary and secondary screening of passengers and luggage between August 8 and August 12, 2026.
While handing over the suspect and the exhibits to the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, Adamu explained that Customs made two separate interceptions at the airport.
He said the first interception occurred on August 8, 2026, involving an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage.
“On August 8, 2026, at approximately 14:20 hours, officers conducting passenger screening at the baggage seat of MAKIA intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300. The currencies were found concealed inside footwear,” Adamu said.
He added that Customs officers made a second interception four days later involving luggage belonging to Haruna Yusuf.
“Similarly, on August 12, 2026 at approximately 13:50 hours, officers of the Nigerian Customs Service also flagged luggage belonging to one Mr Haruna Yusuf, who arrived at MAKIA onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941,” he said.
According to the Customs official, a secondary screening of the luggage using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology led to the discovery of additional foreign currencies allegedly concealed inside shoes.
“During secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, $20,000 USD and £15,957 were found concealed inside sportswear shoes,” he stated.
The two interceptions brought the total amount involved to $73,300 according to the individual figures stated by Customs — $53,300 and $20,000 — alongside £15,957 and SAR827,800.
The EFCC’s introductory account, however, put the dollar component at $73,000. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the movement and ownership of the funds.
Adamu said the decision to hand over the suspect and the foreign currencies to the EFCC was in accordance with Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which empowers Customs to collaborate with other border and regulatory agencies.
He said the Kano/Jigawa Command would continue deploying technology, professional expertise and intelligence-driven measures to strengthen border controls.
According to him, Customs would also sustain collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies as part of efforts to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system and curb unlawful movement of funds across the country’s borders.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, Ebelo commended the Nigeria Customs Service for what he described as its professionalism and cooperation with EFCC personnel recently deployed to the airport.
He also urged members of the public travelling with foreign currency to comply with applicable declaration requirements.
Ebelo stressed that declaring currency does not itself attract a penalty, explaining that legal concerns may arise where funds are not declared or where questions emerge regarding their source.
The EFCC has now taken custody of the suspect and the intercepted currencies for further investigation.
No finding of criminal liability has been made against Yusuf at this stage, and the circumstances surrounding the currencies remain subject to investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
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