, Kano/Jigawa Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth over){kind=link}
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth over N653.9 million at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Announcing the development on Tuesday, the Area Controller of the Command, Dalhatu Abubakar, stated that the seized funds and three suspects were formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
According to Abubakar, the seizure was made on Monday at around 12:15 p.m., when one of the suspects, identified as Ahmed Salisu, arrived from Saudi Arabia via Ethiopian Airlines using a Ghanaian passport.
He failed to declare the foreign currencies he was carrying, prompting Customs officers to act based on credible intelligence.
“The suspect was arrested based on intelligence by vigilant officers after he failed to declare the foreign currencies in his possession,” Abubakar said.
The confiscated currencies include $420,900 in U.S. dollars, 3,946,500 West African CFA francs (XOF), 224,000 Central African CFA francs (XAF), and €5,825 in euros, bringing the total to an estimated ₦653,987,268.50.
Abubakar emphasized that Nigeria’s currency declaration framework is a vital component of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategies.
“The currency declaration regime is part of holistic anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism measures provided in our laws to protect the sanctity and integrity of the Nigerian financial system,” he stated.
“These measures are designed to curb the movement of illicit funds that may fuel terrorism, banditry, drug trafficking, and other forms of criminal activity,” he added.
Citing section 3 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and section 55(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, Abubakar explained that anyone traveling with cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 is legally required to declare such assets to Customs.
“Failure to declare such funds leads to arrest, investigation, and potential prosecution,” he warned.
The EFCC Zonal Director in Kano, Ibrahim Shazali, who received the suspects and the seized funds, confirmed that the action was in accordance with legal provisions aimed at preventing illegal currency trafficking.
Shazali called on stakeholders in the aviation industry, Bureau De Change operators, and financial institutions to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movement of large cash volumes.
“The EFCC remains resolutely committed to its mandate and will continue to work tirelessly with all sister agencies to stem illicit financial flows and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests,” he said.
He also assured that investigations are ongoing, and that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as the process is completed.