The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, has commenced a thorough investigation into a case involving one Ahmad Salisu, who was apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for allegedly concealing and failing to declare large sums of foreign currency.
Salisu was intercepted during a routine check at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Monday, July 7, 2025. A physical inspection of his luggage reportedly revealed the concealed sums of $420,900 (USD), £5,825 (British Pounds), CFA3,946,500 (West African CFA Franc), and CFA224,000 (Cameroonian CFA Franc). The cash was said to have been hidden in a polythene bag wrapped in cloth and other fabric materials.
Upon interrogation, Salisu allegedly confessed that he was transporting the funds on behalf of his brother, Auwal Ahmad, who is currently in Saudi Arabia. He claimed the money was intended for delivery to two individuals—Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu—who were also arrested when they arrived to receive the funds.
The Nigeria Customs Service subsequently handed over the suspects and the recovered cash to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Speaking during a joint press briefing held at the NCS Kano/Jigawa Area Command, the EFCC’s Zonal Commander, Ibrahim Shazali, reiterated the agency’s commitment to curbing illegal cash movements and other forms of financial crimes.
“The EFCC and the Nigerian Customs Service, working in concert, have zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling. 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,” Shazali stated.
He called on the public and stakeholders in the aviation and financial sectors to remain alert and report suspicious activities involving the movement of large sums of money.
“Protecting the integrity of our economy is a collective responsibility,” he added.
Also speaking, the Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, emphasized that declaring foreign currency is a legal requirement designed to protect Nigeria’s financial system from being exploited by criminal elements.
“The currency declaration regime is a vital component of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. These measures are essential to blocking the flow of funds to terrorist networks, bandits, and drug traffickers who pose grave threats to national security,” Abubakar explained.
The EFCC confirmed that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
