The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of a suspected currency smuggler, Ahmed Salisu, at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, with undeclared foreign currencies amounting to N653.9 million. The suspect, who holds a Ghanaian passport with number G5347658, reportedly failed to declare the funds upon arrival from Saudi Arabia on board Ethiopian Airlines at about 12:15pm on Monday.
During a joint press briefing in Kano on Tuesday, the Comptroller of Customs for the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Dalhatu Abubakar, alongside the Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano Command, Ibrahim Shazali, confirmed that Salisu would not only face legal prosecution but also forfeit the entire cash haul to the federal government.
According to the Customs, Salisu was in violation of Section 3 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, both of which require individuals travelling with more than $10,000 or equivalent in foreign currencies to declare the cash to Customs officials.
Despite being reminded of this legal requirement, the suspect refused to declare the funds, prompting officers to act on intelligence. A thorough search of his luggage revealed large sums of foreign currencies hidden in cartons of clothing, an act officials described as a desperate attempt to evade detection.
The confiscated currencies included:
- $420,900 (US Dollars)
- 3,946,500 CFA Francs (XOF)
- 224,000 Central African CFA Francs (XAF)
- £5,825 (British Pounds Sterling)
The total value of the recovered cash was put at ₦653,987,268, based on the prevailing exchange rates.
Speaking at the briefing, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar condemned the concealment tactic and warned that currency smuggling remains a national security risk, particularly as such funds could be used to sponsor criminal activities.
He stated, “The concealment of these huge amounts of currencies in cartons of clothing represents the height of desperation to distract attention. Terrorists acquire weapons, machinery, and other logistics to inflict harm on our citizens without which they cannot operate. Therefore, as our law enforcement agencies take on the fight to the criminals, we must also seek to cut the very oxygen that sustains the crime which is the financing.”
He noted that currency smuggling is not only a breach of customs and anti-money laundering laws but also a serious threat to national and economic security.
EFCC’s Zonal Director, Ibrahim Shazali, who received the suspect and the seized items for further investigation, described the incident as a classic case of illegal cash smuggling.
He said, “Attempting to circumvent our financial laws and border controls is a futile and costly endeavour. The suspect will be thoroughly investigated, and the full weight of the law will be applied.”
Shazali also urged travelers and business people to adhere strictly to financial declaration rules to avoid criminal charges and potential forfeiture.
Law enforcement agencies say this latest interception is part of a larger effort to tighten Nigeria’s financial surveillance and curb the flow of illicit funds that can be used to finance terrorism, smuggling, and other criminal activities.
The NCS and EFCC have assured that their cooperation will continue to focus on cutting off the channels used to launder money and support transnational crimes, especially through Nigerian airports.
This incident comes at a time when security and anti-corruption agencies are increasing their focus on money laundering, terrorist financing, and cross-border financial crimes. Authorities have encouraged the public to support such efforts by reporting suspicious cash movements or undeclared assets.
