By Nkechi Eze
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a full-scale investigation into the arrest of one Ahmad Salisu, who was intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, for attempting to smuggle large sums of undeclared foreign currencies out of the country.
Salisu was apprehended on Monday, July 7, 2025, by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during a routine check. A physical search of his luggage revealed meticulously concealed foreign currencies, including $420,900 (Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars), £5,825 (Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five Pounds Sterling), 3,946,500 West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Cameroonian CFA Francs.
According to an official statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Salisu, during preliminary questioning, claimed he was transporting the funds on behalf of his brother, Auwal Ahmad, who is currently in Saudi Arabia. The money, he said, was intended for delivery to two individuals Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu, who were subsequently arrested upon arriving to collect the funds.
Following their interrogation and documentation, the Nigeria Customs Service formally handed over the three suspects and the recovered foreign currencies to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
At a joint press briefing held at the NCS Kano/Jigawa Area Command, the Zonal Director of the EFCC, Commander Ibrahim Shazali, reiterated the strong collaborative stance of the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service against illegal cash movements and all other forms of financial crimes.
“The EFCC and the Nigerian Customs Service, working in concert, have zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling,” Shazali stated. “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 called on members of the public and stakeholders within the aviation and financial sectors to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. “Protecting the integrity of our economy is a collective responsibility,” he added.
On his part, the Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, described currency declaration as a crucial component of Nigeria’s strategy to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. He noted that such measures are aimed at cutting off funding streams to criminal networks and extremist groups whose actions threaten national security.
“The currency declaration regime is part of a holistic anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework provided in our laws to protect the sanctity and integrity of the Nigerian financial system,” Abubakar explained. “These measures are essential to controlling the flow of illicit funds to criminals, terrorists, bandits, and drug traffickers.”
EFCC officials have confirmed that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The development marks another critical success in Nigeria’s ongoing clampdown on cross-border financial crimes, underlining the country’s commitment to enforcing anti-money laundering and border control regulations.
