…As Airport Surveillance Exposes Undeclared Foreign Currency from Dubai Passengers
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has intensified its crackdown on illicit cross-border cash movement following the interception of 461,600 United States dollars from two inbound passengers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
This development was contained in a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Tahir Balarabe, and issued to newsmen on Tuesday 12 May, 2026, in Kano.
According to CSC Balarabe, the suspects, both male passengers, arrived in Kano from Dubai on Friday, 8 May 2026, aboard Ethiopian Airlines, stating that, “Both travellers initially declared 130,000 dollars and 180,000 dollars respectively. However, further non-intrusive baggage profiling raised suspicion, prompting officers to subject their luggage to secondary examination.”
The additional search, according to him, also uncovered 151,600 dollars concealed and not declared, bringing the total intercepted sum to 461,600 dollars.
Speaking during the formal handover of the suspects and exhibits, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the interception reflects the Service’s growing vigilance against illicit financial flows through Nigeria’s borders.
DC Adamu said the suspects violated relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, stressing that the law places clear obligations on travellers to make honest currency declarations.
“The suspects contravened Section 55(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. In line with Section 4(f) of the same Act, we are formally handing over the suspects, the intercepted currencies, and all relevant travel documents to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation.” DC Adamu said.
He commended the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for sustained operational cooperation, while also appreciating the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for strengthening officers through continuous training and intelligence-driven enforcement.
Receiving the suspects and exhibits on behalf of the Commission, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Kano, Friday Ebelo, praised the professionalism displayed by Customs officers during the operation.
Ebelo said the non-declaration or false declaration of currencies above the statutory threshold remains a serious financial crime under Nigerian law.
“Any traveller carrying funds above 10,000 dollars is expected by law to declare it. Anything short of that raises serious money laundering concerns. I want to assure you that this case will be pursued to its logical conclusion.” Ebelo said.
The suspects, the intercepted currencies, and other relevant documents were formally handed over to the EFCC on Monday, 11 May 2026, at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano.
