The Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted foreign currencies valued at over N653 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The information was made public when the Area Controller of the Command, Dalhatu Abubakar, handed over the seized currencies and three suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday in Kano.
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The money, which was not declared as required by law, was hidden in a luggage and discovered by Customs officers during a routine operation. One Ahmed Salisu, who arrived with a Ghanaian passport from Saudi Arabia via Ethiopian Airlines, was arrested in connection with the undeclared funds.
The seized currencies included $420,900, 3,946,500 West African CFA francs, 224,000 Central African CFA francs, and €5,825, all totalling an equivalent of N653,987,268.50. The interception occurred around 12:15 pm on Monday.
Following the discovery, the Customs Command transferred the suspects and the seized items to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The interception aligns with efforts to enforce currency declaration regulations and combat illicit financial flows. Nigerian law mandates travellers to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 to Customs officials.
Authorities say the measure is part of broader anti-money laundering and terrorism financing efforts aimed at safeguarding the nation’s financial system.
The EFCC also called on stakeholders in the aviation sector, Bureau de Change operators, and financial institutions to report any suspicious movements involving large sums of cash.
