The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into undeclared foreign currencies worth $73,000, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals, which were seized from passengers at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The suspect, Haruna Yusuf, has been taken into EFCC custody.
Two Interceptions at Kano Airport
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) conducted two separate interceptions at the airport over a four-day period. On August 8, 2026, at approximately 14:20 hours, customs officers screening baggage discovered an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300. Both sums were hidden inside a pair of footwear.
Four days later, on August 12, 2026, officers flagged a bag belonging to Haruna Yusuf, who had arrived on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941. A secondary scan using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology uncovered $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sportswear shoes.
Customs Hands Over Suspect to EFCC
Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U. U. Adamu, formally handed Yusuf and all recovered exhibits to the EFCC's Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo. Adamu stated that the transfer was carried out under Section 4(f) of the NCS Act 2023, which authorizes the Customs Service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies.
“These interceptions demonstrate the readiness and vigilance of our officers in detecting cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currencies above the allowed threshold,” Adamu said, adding that the command would continue to rely on technology and intelligence-driven methods to protect Nigeria's financial systems.
EFCC Warns Public on Currency Declaration
Ebelo, who received the suspect on behalf of EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, praised the Customs Service for its cooperation and urged the public to comply with the law on currency declaration. “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 stressed that declaring currency at the point of entry carries no penalty, and that only the source of undeclared funds could attract legal scrutiny. “If you declare it, nobody will seize your currency,” he added.
Ebelo confirmed that the EFCC would pursue thorough investigation and prosecution of the case, and both officials commended the working relationship between the two agencies in combating illegal cash movement across Nigeria's borders.
Broader EFCC Investigations
In related news, the EFCC has revealed that approximately 18 state governments across Nigeria are currently under investigation for alleged mismanagement of public funds. Wilson Uwujaren, the commission's Director of Public Affairs, confirmed the figure during an interview on Arise Television but declined to identify any of the states involved.
