The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an undeclared cash probe involving two passengers intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with a combined sum of $461,600 allegedly not fully declared upon arrival from Dubai. The suspects were apprehended by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, after arriving aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
According to the EFCC, the two suspects, identified as Jamilu Shuaibu Waya and Usman Namadi, initially declared $130,000 and $180,000 respectively at the airport’s currency declaration desk. However, Customs officers reportedly discovered an additional $120,000 on Waya and $31,600 on Namadi during a physical inspection of their luggage. The discovery raised the total amount involved in the undeclared cash probe to $461,600.
The anti-graft agency stated that the incident potentially contravenes Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which regulate the movement and declaration of cash above approved thresholds. Under Nigerian law, travellers carrying cash exceeding $10,000 are required to declare the funds to relevant authorities upon arrival or departure.
Speaking during the handover of the suspects and recovered funds to the EFCC, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller UU Adamu, commended the cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the EFCC in tackling illicit financial flows and cross-border financial crimes. He stated that inter-agency coordination remains central to strengthening border enforcement and anti-money laundering compliance.
Receiving the suspects on behalf of the EFCC, the Zonal Director of the Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander Friday S. Ebelo, assured that the commission would carry out a detailed investigation into the matter. According to him, “The EFCC will conduct a thorough and uncompromising investigation into this matter.” He added that violators of anti-money laundering regulations would face legal consequences where offences are established.
The ongoing undeclared cash probe reflects growing enforcement efforts by Nigerian authorities to monitor financial movements linked to money laundering, illicit transfers and other economic crimes. Security agencies have repeatedly intensified scrutiny at airports and border points amid concerns over illegal cash movement across international routes.
Officials also noted that cooperation between Customs, the EFCC and other security institutions has improved detection capacity through intelligence sharing and coordinated inspections. The latest interception at the Kano airport adds to recent enforcement actions targeting undeclared funds and suspicious financial activities involving international travel.
The suspects, recovered cash and related travel documents have since been transferred to the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate for further investigation and possible prosecution. Authorities said the undeclared cash probe would examine the source, intended use and compliance status of the intercepted funds in accordance with Nigerian financial regulations.
