The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has tightened is effort to reduce illegal cross-border cash movement.

This follows after the interception of 461,600 United States dollars at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

In a statement issued to newsmen on 12 May 2026 and signed by the Command’s public relations officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Tahir Balarabe, the passengers who happened to be suspects arrived in Kano from Dubai on 8 May 2026 with Ethiopian Airlines.

The suspects declared 130,000 and 180,000 dollars, respectively, but further non-intrusive baggage profiling raised more suspicion, therefore prompting more investigation.

The additional search then led to the discovery of another 151,600 dollars hidden and undeclared, bringing the total sum to 461,600 US dollars.

The suspects were handed over by Deputy Comptroller of the Command, Usman Adamu, to the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Kano, Friday Ebelo.

The suspects, including the intercepted currencies and other relevant documents, were handed over at the Command’s headquarters in Bompai, Kano.

DC Usman said the suspects violated the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, adding that the law has made it an obligation for every traveler to make an honest currency declaration.

“In line with Section 4(f) of the same Act, we are formally handing over the suspects, the intercepted currencies, and all relevant travel documents to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” he said.

He also praised the EFCC and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for the continuous training of their officers and intelligence-driven enforcement.

Friday Ebelo, who received the suspects and their exhibits on behalf of EFCC in Kano, said, “Any traveler carrying funds above 10,000 dollars is expected by law to declare them. Anything short of that raises serious concerns about money laundering. I want to assure you that this case will be pursued to its logical conclusion.”