The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦653.9 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), in what officials have described as a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit financial flows.
The arrest was made during a clearance operation on July 8, following intelligence reports about a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia. Customs officers flagged the suspect, Ahmed Salisu, a Ghanaian passport holder, for additional checks after he declined to declare the foreign currency in his possession, a legal requirement for travelers entering Nigeria with amounts exceeding $10,000.
Upon inspection, officers discovered $420,900, £5,825, 3.9 million West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs, hidden inside cartons of clothing.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kano, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, head of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, described the seizure as a milestone in Customs' ongoing crackdown on financial crimes, smuggling, and money laundering. The suspect, along with two others, was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
“This arrest demonstrates the Service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s financial system and territorial integrity,” Abubakar said. “Let this send a message to smuggling and money laundering networks — our surveillance is active, and we will act decisively.”
The Comptroller added that the arrest aligns with a broader campaign by Customs to enforce the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, both of which mandate the declaration of foreign currency above $10,000 at all entry and exit points.
The Command had earlier conducted sensitisation exercises for Bureau de Change operators, travel agencies, airlines, and pilgrim boards in Kano and Jigawa to promote compliance.
Speaking on behalf of the EFCC, the Zonal Director of the agency’s Kano office lauded the inter-agency cooperation and promised thorough prosecution.
“This isn’t just about money. It’s about national security. Undeclared cash movements often fund terrorism, banditry, and transnational crimes,” the EFCC representative stated. “We commend the Customs officers involved and urge more intelligence sharing across the aviation and financial sectors.”
The case adds to growing concerns over Nigeria’s porous borders and the use of cash smuggling to finance illicit operations across West Africa. Both Customs and EFCC reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s financial system through joint enforcement and intelligence-driven operations.
