The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an investigation into a passenger, Adam Musa Adam, who was arrested with $265,000 allegedly concealed in his luggage at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano State. Adam, a Nigerian passport holder, was intercepted by Nigeria Customs Service officers during routine screening after arriving from New Delhi aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET941 on Sunday, September 26, 2026.
According to the Nigeria Customs Service, Adam's luggage was flagged for secondary examination using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, leading to the discovery of the undeclared foreign currency. The Customs Service stated that 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 Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Umar Adamu, revealed 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 emphasized that the seizures demonstrate the importance of sustained screening and enforcement at the nation's borders and airports to prevent the illicit movement of funds.
The suspect and the recovered currency were handed over to the EFCC for investigation. The Acting Kano Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1), Friday S. Ebelo, received the suspect and exhibits, commending Customs officers for detecting the undeclared funds and transferring the case to the EFCC for further investigation.
Ebelo stated that the EFCC would investigate the circumstances surrounding the possession and movement of the money and take appropriate legal action based on its findings. He emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating illicit financial flows and appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for creating an enabling environment for sustained collaboration between the two agencies.
Nigerian law requires travelers moving cash and negotiable instruments above prescribed thresholds across the country's borders to make necessary declarations to the appropriate authorities. This requirement aims to monitor cross-border financial movements, prevent money laundering, and curb illicit financial flows through Nigeria's airports and other points of entry and exit.
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 offense was committed under applicable Nigerian laws. The Commission will conduct and carry out its established mandate by further investigating and prosecuting this case to its logical conclusion.
Key points
- The EFCC arrested Adam Musa Adam with $265,000 concealed in his luggage at Kano Airport.
- The Nigeria Customs Service intercepted the undeclared foreign currency using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology.
- The EFCC will investigate the source, ownership, and intended purpose of the $265,000.
