Customs intercepts undeclared US Dollars, Saudi Riyals at Kano Airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth several millions of naira at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.

Briefing journalists on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Kano, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of the command, Usman U. Adamu, said the seizure was part of achievements recorded by the command in the last three months.

Adamu explained that intelligence-led operations led to the interception of passengers attempting to travel out of the country with undeclared foreign currencies, including $106,500 and 134,256 Saudi Riyals, in violation of Nigerian financial regulations.

He noted that the suspects’ actions constitute money laundering offences under Nigerian law.

In another development, the acting Area Controller disclosed that 28 Chinese Yuan and 20 Ghana Cediswere also intercepted at the airport for failure to declare them to the appropriate authorities.

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According to him, the seized currencies have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

The Customs boss further revealed that intelligence-driven operations led to the interception of two brand-new Dong Feng vehicles along the Kano-Hadejia and Maiduguri roads in Kano State.

The vehicles, he said, were smuggled into Nigeria from Libya through the Niger Republic and had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N97,747,666. Hidden inside one of the vehicles were six silver metal bars weighing 12.2 kilograms, valued at N61 million.

Adamu also disclosed that Customs operatives intercepted 1,447 pieces of smuggled used pneumatic tyres along the Yan Awaki area of the Eastern Bypass, with a DPV of N28,226,914.

Similarly, on February 18, 2026, an outbound passenger was intercepted at the airport with 22.8 kilograms of silver metal bars concealed in his baggage without proper declaration or export documentation.

“The action contravenes Section 55(f) of the NCS Act 2023. Consequently, the suspect, along with the undeclared currencies and precious metals, has been handed over to the EFCC for further action,” Adamu said.

In another operation, the command intercepted a Citroen bus along the Babura axis in Jigawa State carrying 35 bales of second-hand clothing valued at N17.5 million, as well as 10 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil worth N84,742.

The items, according to him, violate Schedules 3 and 4 of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 233 of the NCS Act 2023.

Customs operatives also intercepted a Howo truck at Ajiri Village in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State loaded with 2,765 cartons of smuggled foreign spaghetti with a DPV of N49,757,042, an item listed under the import prohibition list of the CET 2022–2027.

In addition, the command seized 503 master cartons of Pregabalin 300mg (Nervigesic brand) containing more than 15 million capsules at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) facility at the airport, with a DPV of N729,913,864.02.

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Adamu said the drugs were suspected to be unregistered pharmaceutical products without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and would be handed over to the agency for further investigation.

He warned that the command would continue to clamp down on economic saboteurs and enforce provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other relevant laws.

Adamu also assured that the command would strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations to facilitate legitimate trade, support local industries, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy from illicit activities.