The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested an Aviation Security officer and two other suspects over alleged involvement in cash and gold smuggling at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
A statement by EFCC said the suspects, Ali Baffa, an Inspector 1 with Aviation Security (AVSEC), along with Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria were arrested by operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC during an operation at the airport.
According to the agency, the arrests were made on Friday, June 11, 2026, during what the commission described as a routine surveillance exercise by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the Kano Zonal Directorate.
The operation followed a directive from the EFCC Executive Chairman ordering all zonal offices to step up enforcement against the smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash through international airports.
According to initial findings, Ali Baffa allegedly hid 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars, valued at over N4.4 billion, inside his trousers with the intention of evading security checks. The gold was allegedly meant to be handed over to passengers travelling out of the country for illegal export.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Aushabu Nasidi, who was alleged to have supplied the gold bars to Baffa. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly found with several foreign currencies in his possession.
The recovered currencies included 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 probe also led to the arrest of Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, who was alleged to have supplied the gold bars to Nasidi. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted involvement in multiple shipments.
“While being interviewed, Dan Zaria revealed to the Commission that he had smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold from June 1 to June 11, 2026 using the same modus operandi,” the statement said.
All three suspects are currently in EFCC custody.
The Commission said they will be charged to court upon completion of ongoing investigations.
