Customs intercepts $420,000 concealed in cartons at Kano airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a total of $420,900 and other foreign currencies concealed in cartons at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Announcing the seizure during a press briefing at the Customs House in Bompai, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command said the operation followed credible intelligence and a clearance check conducted by officers at the airport.

One of the suspects, identified as Ahmed Salisu, a passenger with a Ghanaian passport, was flagged upon arrival from Saudi Arabia aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

According to the comptroller, Salisu failed to declare the large sum as required by Nigerian law, which mandates the declaration of any foreign currency exceeding $10,000.

A physical inspection of the passenger’s baggage revealed foreign currencies carefully hidden inside cartons filled with clothing items.

The total amount recovered includes $420,900, £5,825, 3.9 million West African CFA Francs, and 224,000 Central African CFA Francs, estimated at ₦653.9 million.

Three suspects have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

Abubakar noted that the interception reflects ongoing efforts by the NCS in collaboration with the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to safeguard the nation’s financial system.