By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer and two other suspects over an alleged attempt to smuggle gold worth more than N4.4 billion and multiple foreign currencies through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The suspects, identified as Ali Baffa, an Inspector I with the Aviation Security unit, Aushabu Nasidi, and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were apprehended by operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC during a surveillance operation at the airport.
According to the anti-graft agency, the arrests were made on June 11, 2026, following a directive by the EFCC Chairman mandating all zonal directorates to intensify efforts against the smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash through international airports.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars, estimated to be worth over N4.4 billion, inside his trousers in an attempt to evade security screening and facilitate the illegal export of the precious minerals through outbound international passengers.
The EFCC disclosed that further investigations led to the arrest of Nasidi, who was allegedly responsible for supplying the gold bars to the aviation security officer.
Upon his arrest, operatives reportedly recovered several foreign currencies from Nasidi, including 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinar, 20,700 Philippine Peso, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinar, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forint, and 1,000 Sudanese Dinar.
The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of Dan Zaria, who allegedly handed the gold bars to Nasidi for onward transfer.
During interrogation, Dan Zaria allegedly confessed to using the same smuggling network to move an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold out of the country between June 1 and June 11, 2026.
The EFCC said the arrests underscore its renewed commitment to curbing the illegal export of Nigeria’s mineral resources and tackling financial crimes linked to cross-border transactions.
The Commission added that the suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned before a competent court upon the conclusion of investigations.