Customs Intercepts Over N653m In Undeclared Foreign Currency At Kano Airport (Photos)

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over ₦653 million at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

The interception was announced during a briefing at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano. 

The seized funds and three suspects were formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

According to a statement on the X handle of the Nigeria Customs,  Comptroller Abubakar stated that the arrest stemmed from credible intelligence and a vigilant clearance operation by officers at the airport. 

They flagged a suspect, Ahmed Salisu, a Ghanaian passport holder, upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

The statement reads in part: "The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against illicit financial flows with the interception of over N653 million worth of undeclared foreign currencies at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). 

"The seizure was announced on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, during a press briefing held at the Customs House, Bompai, Kano, where the intercepted funds and three suspects were formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

"Addressing journalists at the event, the Customs Area Controller for Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the interception as a milestone in the ongoing crackdown on financial crimes linked to smuggling networks and money laundering.

"According to him, the arrest followed credible intelligence and a vigilant clearance operation by officers at the airport, who flagged the suspect, Ahmed Salisu, a holder of Ghanaian Passport, upon arrival from Saudi Arabia onboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

“ 'Upon arrival, the suspect, like other passengers, was reminded of the legal obligation to declare foreign currencies exceeding $10,000. He declined. 

" 'But acting on credible intelligence, our vigilant officers flagged him for additional checks, which led to the discovery of concealed foreign currencies hidden inside cartons of clothing'. The Comptroller said.

"He said, 'A physical search of his baggage revealed concealed cash amounting to $420,900 (USD), £5,825 (British Pounds Sterling), 3,946,500 West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs, collectively valued at over ₦653.9 million'.”