Customs Intercepts Over $73,000, £15,957, 827,800 Saudi Riyals Hidden in Shoes at Kano Airport

Customs Intercepts Over $73,000, £15,957, 827,800 Saudi Riyals Hidden in Shoes at Kano Airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched a full-scale investigation into a passenger, Haruna Yusuf, after the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a massive haul of undeclared foreign currencies concealed inside footwear and sportswear shoes at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The interception, which occurred between August 8 and 12, 2026, involved a total of $73,300, £15,957, and 827,800 Saudi Riyals—amounts that, when converted, run into hundreds of millions of naira. The suspect and the recovered cash were formally handed over to the EFCC by customs officials at the Kano/Jigawa Command, marking the beginning of what investigators describe as a thorough probe into possible violations of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering framework.

Customs officers made the discovery in two separate operations, both involving cleverly concealed cash meant to evade routine screening. On August 8, 2026, at approximately 2:20 PM, officers screening an unaccompanied Saudi Airline luggage found 827,800 Saudi Riyals and $53,300** cleverly tucked inside a piece of footwear. Then, on August 12, 2026, at about 1:50 PM, the luggage of **Haruna Yusuf**, who had just arrived on Ethiopian Airlines flight **ET941**, raised red flags during initial checks. A secondary search, aided by **Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology**, revealed an additional **$20,000 and £15,957 hidden inside sportswear shoes. The two seizures, occurring within days of each other, underscored the growing sophistication of currency smuggling tactics and the proactive role of technology in detecting them.

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The Nigeria Customs Service officially handed over the suspect and the seized currencies to the EFCC under the authority of Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which allows the service to collaborate with other border regulatory agencies in enforcing financial laws. The transfer ceremony was presided over by the Acting Customs Area Comptroller for the Kano/Jigawa Command, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, who emphasized that the interceptions highlight the need for heightened vigilance at all entry points. He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to continue deploying intelligence-driven measures, advanced scanning equipment, and inter-agency cooperation to curb the illegal movement of cash across Nigeria’s borders.

Upon receiving the suspect and the exhibits, the EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director in Kano, Assistant Commander Friday S. Ebelo, confirmed that the failure to declare such large sums of foreign currency constitutes a direct violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He noted that under Nigerian law, travellers carrying amounts above the statutory threshold are required to make a full declaration at the point of entry or exit, and that non-compliance attracts serious legal consequences. However, Ebelo was careful to clarify that declaring money does not automatically lead to seizure—rather, the offence lies in the concealment and the failure to declare, or in cases where the source of the funds is questionable.

Addressing the broader public, Ebelo urged all travellers to comply with currency declaration requirements, stressing that the law is not designed to punish honest declarations. He stated emphatically that no one would have their funds confiscated simply for declaring them, and that the legal issues arise only when individuals attempt to move large sums secretly, often to evade scrutiny over the origin or purpose of the money. His remarks serve as both a warning and a clarification, aimed at dispelling common misconceptions that discourage travellers from making lawful declarations.

The EFCC has now commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the movement of the funds, including the source of the cash, the intended destination, and whether the suspect acted alone or as part of a larger network. Investigators are also looking into the possibility of money laundering, terrorism financing, or other financial crimes linked to the undeclared currencies. While no formal charges have been filed yet, the commission has assured the public that the case will be pursued diligently, and that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.

The Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has hailed the interceptions as a major success in the fight against illicit financial flows, and reiterated its resolve to work closely with the EFCC, the Nigerian Immigration Service, and other border agencies to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system. The service also reminded the public that its officers are equipped with both the legal authority and the technological tools to detect hidden currencies, and that attempts to circumvent the law will continue to be met with decisive action.

Customs Intercepts Over $73,000, £15,957, 827,800 Saudi Riyals Hidden in Shoes at Kano Airport