Customs Intercepts 3 Saudi-bound Passengers With Undeclared Foreign Currencies

Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested three Saudi-bound passengers at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) with undeclared foreign currencies to the tune of N653.9 million.

Handing over the suspects and the currencies to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano, the area controller of NCS, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, stated that the passengers were arrested upon arrival from Saudi Arabia on board Ethiopian Airlines.

In collaboration with other sister agencies, he said the Service operatives acted based on intelligence to make the arrest.

Abubakar maintained that the operation followed earlier sensitisation efforts jointly carried out by the NCS, EFCC, and ICPC on April 26, 2025, to educate stakeholders on laws guiding currency declaration and cross-border movement.

According to him, on July 7, at about 12:15 p.m., officers acting on intelligence apprehended Ahmed Salisu, who arrived from Saudi Arabia via Ethiopian Airlines using a Ghanaian passport (G5347658). He said the suspect concealed a tremendous amount of currency in cartons of clothing, representing desperation to distract attention.

“On arrival, the suspect, like other passengers, was duly reminded of his obligation to declare any foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding 10,000 USD in his possession, but declined to do so.

“But acting based on intelligence, the suspect and his luggage were flagged for further search by ever-vigilant officers on duty. Upon search of the passenger’s baggage, the following currencies were discovered: 420,900 USD, 3,946,500 CFA Francs (XOF), 224,000 CFA Francs (XAF) and 5,825 British Pounds Sterling.

“The total amount of interception in Naira is valued at N653, 987, 268.5 million,” he stated.

In his remarks, EFCC Zonal Director, Ibrahim Shazali, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for a successful operation.

He said both agencies have zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling, and their collaboration and synergy have yielded significant results.

Shazali added that the arrest and seizure were effected under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2022 and relevant sections of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023, which strictly regulate currency movement across Nigerian borders.