The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into Haruna Yusuf after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted multiple undeclared foreign currencies totaling $73,000, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The suspect and the funds were handed over to the EFCC by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U. U. Adamu, at the Customs Area Command in Kano.
Interceptions During Routine Screenings
The currencies, which exceeded the legally permitted threshold, were discovered during routine primary and secondary screenings of arriving passengers between August 8 and August 12, 2026. According to Adamu, the Customs made two separate interceptions.
“On August 8, 2026, at approximately 14:20 hours, officers conducting passenger screening at the baggage seat of MAKIA intercepted an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300. The currencies were found concealed inside a footwear,” Adamu stated.
He added, “On August 12, 2026 at approximately 13:50 hours, officers of the Nigerian Custom Service also flagged a luggage belonging to one Mr. Haruna Yusuf, who arrived at MAKIA on board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941. During secondary screening using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, $20,000 USD and £15,957 were found concealed inside sportswear shoes.”
Handover and Legal Basis
Adamu formally handed over the suspect, Mr. Haruna Yusuf, alongside all recovered exhibits to Ebelo for further investigation and prosecution. He noted that the handover was in accordance with Section 4(f) of the NCS Act 2023, which empowers the Service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies.
Adamu further explained that “these interceptions demonstrate the readiness and vigilance of our officers in detecting cross-border movement of undeclared foreign currencies above the allowed threshold. The Command will continue to deploy technology, professional expertise, and intelligence-driven measures, including inter-agency collaboration to strengthen border controls and protect the integrity of Nigeria's financial systems.”
EFCC Receives Suspect and Exhibits
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, expressed profound gratitude to the Customs Service for its professionalism and cooperation with EFCC officers recently deployed to the airport.
“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 urged the public to comply with the law, emphasizing that declaring currency attracts no penalty, only the source of undeclared funds may raise legal concerns. “Once more, we call on the general public: as much as we are Nigerians and we encourage trade in and out of the country, people must adhere to the laws of the land. You must declare the currency you are carrying. If you declare it, nobody will seize your currency,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will face prosecution if found to have violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
