The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced a probe into the case of one Ahmad Salisu, arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service, for allegedly concealing and failing to declare the sum of $420,900, £5,825, CFA3,946,500, and 224,000 Cameroonian CFA.
The EFCC in a statement on its official X handle, said Salisu was intercepted by customs operatives during a routine check on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The anti-graft agency revealed in the statement that the suspect upon being physically inspected, the undeclared cash was meticulously concealed in a polythene bag covered by clothes and other fabrics in the luggage of the suspect.
Upon arrest, the suspect reportedly disclosed that he was transporting the funds on behalf of his brother, Auwal Ahmad, who is still in Saudi Arabia, to be delivered to two individuals, Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu, who were also arrested upon their arrival to claim the monies.
Following preliminary interrogation and documentation, the customs formally handed over the trio and the recovered funds to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
In a joint press briefing, the Kano Zonal Director of the EFCC, Ibrahim Shazali, stated that the EFCC and the customs were committed to zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling and all other forms of economic and financial crimes and will not spare any offender.
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“Our surveillance is active, our intelligence is sharp, and our resolve to apprehend offenders is unwavering.
“Attempting to circumvent our financial laws and border controls is a futile and costly endeavour,” he added.
Shazali also called on the public and other stakeholders to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity across the country’s borders.
“We urge the public, particularly stakeholders within the aviation sector and financial institutions, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement of large volumes of cash.
“Protecting the integrity of our economy is a collective responsibility”, he said.
Also, the Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, pointed out that currency declaration is part of Nigeria’s effort to combat money laundering and terrorist financing activities.
He said all efforts must be enhanced to protect the sanctity of the nation’s borders.
“The currency declaration regime is part of a holistic anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures provided in our laws to protect the sanctity and integrity of the Nigerian financial system.
“The measures are also aimed at controlling the flow of funds to criminal networks, terrorists, bandits, and drug barons whose activities jeopardize our national security”, he said.
