The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a full investigation into two Nigerian men, Jamilu Shuaibu Waya and Usman Namadi, arrested for allegedly failing to declare a combined $461,600 in foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The suspects were intercepted by Nigeria Customs Service officers on Friday, May 8, 2026, upon arrival from Dubai via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET941. Customs officials discovered undeclared cash during a physical inspection, prompting the handover of the suspects to the EFCC for further legal action.
Waya initially declared $130,000 at the airport’s currency declaration desk, but a thorough examination revealed an additional $120,000 hidden in his possession, bringing his total to $250,000. Namadi declared $180,000, but customs officers found an extra $31,600, making his total $211,600. The undeclared funds are believed to violate Sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalizes the concealment and movement of illicit funds across borders.
The acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller U.U. Adamu, commended the EFCC for its ongoing partnership in combating financial crimes. He emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in detecting and preventing illegal cash movements. “Let me express appreciation for the continuous collaboration with the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate for their support in realising our goal while combating the illegal movement of cash,” Adamu said during the handover ceremony.
Receiving the suspects, Assistant Commander Friday S. Ebelo of the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate pledged a rigorous and impartial investigation. “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 stated. He also highlighted the critical role of collaboration between the Customs Service and the EFCC in strengthening Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes.
The suspects, along with the recovered foreign currency and other exhibits, have been transferred to the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate for further interrogation and possible prosecution. The case underscores the increasing vigilance of Nigerian security agencies in monitoring cross-border financial transactions and enforcing compliance with national laws. This incident serves as a warning to individuals attempting to circumvent currency declaration regulations, as authorities continue to enhance surveillance and coordination to safeguard the country’s financial integrity.
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