The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Aviation Security officer and two other suspects over an alleged attempt to smuggle 22.2 kilogrammes of unprocessed gold valued at over N4.4 billion through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate during an intelligence-led operation targeting illegal export of solid minerals and illicit financial flows through Nigeria’s airports.
The commission alleged that the Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer, identified as Inspector I Ali Baffa, attempted to conceal 22.2 kilogrammes of unprocessed gold bars on his person, with the intention of moving them through airport security checks before handing them over to passengers on an international route.
The EFCC stated that the value of the seized gold exceeds N4.4 billion, describing it as one of the significant interceptions in recent anti-smuggling operations. It added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt networks involved in the illegal export of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Two other suspects, identified as Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were also arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling activity.
Preliminary findings by the commission indicated that Nasidi allegedly supplied the gold bars to Baffa for onward movement out of the country, while Dan Zaria was later apprehended after investigators traced the origin of the consignment to him.
The EFCC further disclosed that a search conducted on Nasidi led to the recovery of several foreign currencies, including Saudi Riyals, Turkish Lira, Kuwaiti Dinars, Philippine Pesos, Australian Dollars, Chinese Renminbi, Algerian Dinars, Hong Kong Dollars, Hungarian Forints, and Sudanese Dinars.
The commission also stated that during interrogation, Dan Zaria allegedly admitted to having previously smuggled about 40.2 kilogrammes of gold out of Nigeria between June 1 and June 11 using a similar concealment method. The EFCC noted that this disclosure has expanded ongoing investigations into what it described as a suspected organised trafficking network.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the operation reflects the agency’s continued efforts to combat illegal mineral exportation and financial crimes through Nigeria’s entry points.
The commission added that the suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.:
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling smuggling syndicates and protecting Nigeria’s economic resources from illicit exportation.
