The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested an Aviation Security officer and two other suspects over their alleged involvement in the smuggling of gold and foreign currencies through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State.
The suspects were identified as Ali Baffa, an Aviation Security, AVSEC, Inspector I; Aushabu Nasidi; and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria.
They were arrested by operatives of the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate during a surveillance operation at the airport on June 11, 2026.
According to the anti-graft agency, the operation followed a directive by the Executive Chairman of the Commission to all zonal directorates to intensify efforts against the illegal movement of mineral resources and bulk cash through Nigeria’s international airports.
The EFCC said preliminary investigation revealed that Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars inside his trousers in an attempt to evade airport security screening.
The Commission alleged that the AVSEC officer intended to facilitate the illegal export of the gold through outbound international passengers.
The recovered gold was estimated to be worth more than ₦4.4 billion.
The EFCC said further investigation led to the arrest of Nasidi, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to the AVSEC officer.
During the operation, investigators also recovered several foreign currencies from Nasidi.
The currencies allegedly recovered from him include 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinars, 20,700 Philippine Pesos, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinars, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forints and 1,000 Sudanese Dinars.
The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of Dan Zaria, who allegedly handed over the gold bars to Nasidi for onward transfer to Baffa.
According to the EFCC, Dan Zaria, while being questioned by investigators, allegedly admitted that he had used the same method to smuggle gold out of Nigeria within a short period.
The Commission said the suspect disclosed that between June 1 and June 11, 2026, he had allegedly smuggled about 40.2 kilograms of gold using the same network and concealment strategy.
The EFCC said all three suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue.
The anti-graft agency added that the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The post “22.2kg Gold Hidden In Trousers” — EFCC Arrests AVSEC Officer, Two Others Over Alleged ₦4.4bn Gold, Foreign Currency Smuggling At Kano Airport appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
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