The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced investigation into two male suspects arrested with undeclared foreign currency amounting to $461,600 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The suspects, identified as Jamilu Shuaibu Waya and Usman Namadi, were arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, on Friday, May 8, 2026, after arriving from Dubai aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the suspects initially declared $130,000 and $180,000 respectively at the currency declaration desk.
However, a subsequent physical examination by Customs officers reportedly revealed an additional undeclared $120,000 on Waya, bringing his total cash to $250,000, while another undeclared $31,600 was allegedly found on Namadi, bringing his total to $211,600.
According to the EFCC, the undeclared funds contravene Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, formally handed over the suspects and the recovered funds to the Zonal Director of the EFCC Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Friday S. Ebelo, for further investigation.
Ebelo assured the Nigeria Customs Service that the commission would conduct a full-scale investigation into the matter and ensure diligent prosecution where necessary.
“The EFCC will conduct a thorough and uncompromising investigation into this matter. We will prosecute the case with the utmost diligence to ensure that violators of our anti-money laundering laws face the full weight of justice,” Ebelo said.
He also commended the NCS for its long-standing cooperation with the EFCC, noting that inter-agency collaboration remains critical in tackling illegal cash movement and financial crimes.
Earlier, Adamu also expressed appreciation to the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate for its continued support to the Customs Service in combating illegal movement of cash.
Following the formal handover, the suspects, recovered currency and other relevant exhibits were moved to the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate, where they are being held for further investigation and possible prosecution.
