EFCC Opens Probe Into $265,000 Hidden In Passenger’s Luggage At Kano Airport

EFCC Opens Probe Into $265,000 Hidden In Passenger’s Luggage At Kano Airport

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened an investigation into Adam Musa Adam, who was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with $265,000 allegedly concealed in his luggage after arriving from New Delhi.

Adam, a Nigerian passport holder, was intercepted by Nigeria Customs Service officers during routine screening after his luggage was flagged for secondary examination using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, leading to the discovery of the undeclared foreign currency.

Customs said the movement of foreign currency above the approved threshold without declaration contravenes provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

The EFCC said it would investigate the source, circumstances and intended use of the money and prosecute the case to its logical conclusion where evidence establishes an offence.

September 29, () – The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into a passenger arrested with $265,000 allegedly concealed in his luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano State.
The suspect, identified as Adam Musa Adam, a Nigerian passport holder, was arrested after arriving in Kano from New Delhi aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET941.
He was intercepted on Sunday, September 26, 2026, by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during routine screening operations at the airport.

According to the Customs Service, Adam’s luggage was flagged for secondary examination after it passed through Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology.
A subsequent search allegedly led to the discovery of $265,000 concealed among his personal belongings.
The foreign currency was not declared to the relevant authorities as required under Nigerian laws governing the movement of cash and negotiable instruments across the country’s borders.
Following the discovery, Customs handed the suspect and the recovered currency over to the EFCC for investigation.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Umar Adamu, said the movement of foreign currency above the approved threshold without declaration contravened Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, as well as relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He said the handover was also carried out in line with Section 4(f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Adamu disclosed that the Kano Area Command had intercepted undeclared foreign currency and other negotiable instruments with a total value of more than N2.5 billion from January 2026 to date.
He said the seizures demonstrated the importance of sustained screening and enforcement at the nation’s borders and airports to prevent the illicit movement of funds.
Receiving the suspect and exhibits on behalf of the EFCC, the Acting Kano Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1), Friday S. Ebelo, said the handover demonstrated the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating illicit financial flows.
Ebelo commended Customs officers for detecting the undeclared funds and transferring the case to the EFCC for further investigation.
He said the Commission would exercise its statutory mandate by investigating the circumstances surrounding the possession and movement of the money and taking appropriate legal action based on its findings.
“The EFCC will conduct and carry out its established mandate by further investigating and prosecuting this case to its logical conclusion.”
Ebelo said institutions responsible for safeguarding the country’s financial system must continue to work together to protect the economy from illicit financial flows.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for creating an enabling environment for sustained collaboration between the two agencies.
He also commended Adam and his officers for their vigilance and commitment to enforcing laws governing the cross-border movement of currency.
“Let me, on behalf of my Boss, Mr Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, thank the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the sustained partnership”, he said.
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has commenced an investigation into a passenger arrested with $265000 allegedly concealed in his luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport MAKIA Kano State

Background
Nigerian law requires travellers moving cash and negotiable instruments above prescribed thresholds across the country’s borders to make the necessary declarations to the appropriate authorities.
The requirement is part of measures aimed at monitoring cross-border financial movements, preventing money laundering and curbing illicit financial flows through Nigeria’s airports and other points of entry and exit.
The Kano Customs Command’s disclosure that it has intercepted undeclared foreign currency and other negotiable instruments worth more than N2.5 billion since January underscores the scale of enforcement activities at the airport.
The EFCC investigation into the latest seizure will determine the circumstances surrounding the $265,000, including its source, ownership and intended purpose, and whether any offence was committed under applicable Nigerian laws.