The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦653 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The seizure was disclosed during a press briefing at the Customs House, Bompai, Kano, where the confiscated funds and three suspects were officially handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The operation followed the arrival of a suspect, Ahmed Salisu—holder of a Ghanaian passport—on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Saudi Arabia. Upon entry, he was reminded of the legal requirement to declare any foreign currency exceeding 10,000, but he declined.
A physical examination of his luggage uncovered concealed cash comprising420,900, £5,825, 3,946,500 West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs—cumulatively valued at over ₦653.9 million.
Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, Customs Area Controller for Kano/Jigawa, described the seizure as a reflection of the Service’s commitment to national security, proactive enforcement, and enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
The EFCC’s Zonal Director in Kano commended the collaboration, emphasizing that the arrest aligns with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
