EFCC Investigates Seizure of Undeclared Foreign Currencies at Kano Airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an investigation into the seizure of undeclared foreign currencies totaling $73,000, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The suspect, Haruna Yusuf, is currently in EFCC custody.

Details of the Seizure

Between August 8 and 12, 2026, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) conducted two separate interceptions at MAKIA. On August 8, customs officers discovered an unaccompanied Saudi Air luggage containing 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300 hidden inside footwear. On August 12, a bag belonging to Haruna Yusuf, arriving on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941, was found to contain $20,000 and £15,957 concealed inside sports shoes.

Legal Implications

Acting Customs Area Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U. U. Adamu, handed over Yusuf and the recovered currencies to the EFCC's Acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander ACEi Friday S. Ebelo. The EFCC emphasized that failure to declare large sums of currency violates the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Declaring currency at the point of entry carries no penalty, but undeclared funds may attract legal scrutiny.

Next Steps

The EFCC is conducting a thorough investigation and plans to prosecute the case. Both the EFCC and NCS have reiterated their commitment to combating illegal cash movements across Nigeria's borders and have urged the public to comply with currency declaration laws to avoid legal consequences.

For more details, visit the original article on Nigeria Live 24: EFCC Probes $73,000, £15,957, 827,800 SAR Seized at Kano Airport