By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into Haruna Yusuf following the interception of undeclared foreign currencies worth thousands of dollars, pounds sterling and Saudi riyals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The currencies, comprising $73,000, £15,957 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals, were intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during routine screening of arriving passengers between August 8 and 12, 2026.
The suspect and the recovered currencies were subsequently handed over to the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1), Friday S. Ebelo, commended the Customs Service for its cooperation and professionalism.
Ebelo said the EFCC would sustain investigations into the movement of undeclared foreign currencies across Nigeria’s borders.
“We must sustain this vigilance at all our entry points to counter the illegal movement of currency. The failure to declare large sums of currency and its equivalent is a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” he said.
He clarified that travellers were not penalised simply for declaring foreign currency, stressing that the concern arises when large sums are not declared or when the source of the funds requires investigation.
“You must declare the currency you are carrying. If you declare it, nobody will seize your currency,” Ebelo said.
According to Adamu, the first interception occurred on August 8, 2026, at about 2:20 p.m., when Customs officers screening baggage at the airport discovered an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300.
The currencies were allegedly concealed inside footwear.
A second interception occurred on August 12 when Customs officers flagged a piece of luggage belonging to Yusuf, who arrived at MAKIA aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
During secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, officers allegedly discovered $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sports shoes.
Adamu said the interceptions demonstrated the vigilance of Customs officers and the effectiveness of technology and intelligence-driven measures in combating the illegal movement of foreign currency.
“These interceptions demonstrate the readiness and vigilance of our officers in detecting cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currencies above the allowed threshold,” he said.
He added that the NCS would continue to strengthen collaboration with other border regulatory agencies to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.
The suspect and all recovered exhibits have been formally handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.