Customs seize over $1.1m, SR135,900 at Kano Airport

Abdullateef Fowewe

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The seizure which was disclosed in a statement on Thursday, by the Assistant Comptroller of Customs, National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, occurred during a routine baggage check of an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

Upon physically inspecting Abdullahi’s luggage, NCS officers discovered the undeclared currency hidden inside packs of palm-date fruits, locally known as Dabino.

The statement states, “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a total of $1,154,900 (One Million, One Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars) and SR135,900 (One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred Saudi Riyals) undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). The seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

“During the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino. This interception aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.

“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action. Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.”