EFCC arrests aviation security officer, two others at Kano airport

The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer and two other suspects over their alleged involvement in the smuggling of gold and foreign currencies through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The suspects, identified as Ali Baffa, an AVSEC Inspector I, Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were apprehended during a surveillance operation carried out by the anti-graft agency at the airport.

According to the EFCC, the arrests were made on 11 June 2026, following a directive by the commission’s chairman to all zonal directorates to intensify efforts against the smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash through Nigeria’s international airports.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars valued at more than N4.4 billion inside his trousers in an attempt to evade security screening and facilitate the illegal export of the precious minerals through international passengers.

The commission said further investigations led to the arrest of Nasidi, who was allegedly responsible for supplying the gold bars to the AVSEC officer.

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During the operation, EFCC operatives recovered several foreign currencies from Nasidi, including 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.

While being questioned by investigators, Dan Zaria reportedly admitted to smuggling about 40.2 kilograms of gold between 1 and 11 June 2026 using the same method.

The EFCC disclosed that all three suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the process.