The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted over N653m worth of undeclared foreign currencies at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.

The Service, in a Tuesday release by its National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, described the seizure as a major breakthrough in the fight against illicit financial flows, adding that the three suspects have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation and prosecution.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Command, Dalhatu Abubakar, maintained that the interception was a milestone in the ongoing crackdown on financial crimes linked to smuggling networks and money laundering.

According to him, the arrest followed credible intelligence and a vigilant clearance operation by officers at the airport.

Abubakar explained that the officers flagged the suspect, Ahmed Salisu, a holder of a Ghanaian passport, upon arrival from Saudi Arabia on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

He stressed that the suspect, like other passengers, was reminded of the legal obligation to declare foreign currencies exceeding $10,000.

He emphasised that acting on credible intelligence, the officers subjected the suspect to additional checks, which led to the discovery of concealed foreign currencies hidden inside cartons of clothing.

“A physical search of his baggage revealed concealed cash amounting to $420,900, £5,825, 3,946,500 West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs, collectively valued at over N653m.”

The CAC described the interception as a testament to the Service’s unwavering commitment to national security and the ongoing collaboration with other relevant agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s financial and territorial integrity.

“This arrest highlights the result of proactive enforcement, continuous stakeholder sensitisation, and our renewed focus on border surveillance. Our goal is not only to detect but also to deter. Let this be a clear message to criminal networks: we are watching, and we will act,” he said.

He further revealed that the arrest was linked to ongoing efforts launched earlier this year under the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to educate stakeholders on the legal obligations of currency declaration at borders.

He noted that the Command had organised sensitisation campaigns across Kano and Jigawa states, targeting Bureau de Change operators, travel agencies, airline operators, and pilgrim boards.