The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the investigation into the $86,500, 305,150 Saudi Riyals, and €200 seized by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The Kano Zonal Directorate if the Agency
said the funds were discovered in an unaccompanied bag suspected to have been smuggled into the country and intercepted on Sunday April 27, 2025 when a clearing agent attempted to retrieve the bag.
it said upon physical inspection, Customs officers uncovered the foreign currencies concealed in bed spreads (duvets) and date packs tucked in the luggage.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Bala and a second suspect, Abdullahi Tahir, who was reportedly tasked with receiving the bag after clearance
It noted stated that the money was handed over to the EFCC by a Chief Superintendent of Customs, CSC Abdulahi Hashim, and received on behalf of the Commission by an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE11 Aminu Bashir.
It also said the suspects and the seized funds were in the custody of the agency and would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
The EFCC further commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and reiterated the importance of inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding the nation’s
