EFCC busts alleged N4.4bn gold smuggling ring at Kano Airport, arrests AVSEC officer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an alleged gold smuggling network at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, arresting Ali Baffa, an Aviation Security (AVSEC) Inspector I, alongside Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria over the attempted illegal export of gold bars valued at more than N4.4 billion.

The arrests followed a surveillance operation carried out by operatives of the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate as part of a nationwide crackdown on the illicit movement of solid minerals and foreign currencies through Nigeria’s international airports.

According to the commission, the operation was conducted on June 11, 2026, in line with a directive by the EFCC Chairman ordering all zonal commands to intensify monitoring of airport activities linked to economic crimes.

Investigators alleged that Baffa concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars, estimated to be worth over N4.4 billion, inside his trousers in a bid to evade airport security screening before handing the consignment to passengers travelling abroad for illegal export.

The anti-graft agency described the concealment method as a deliberate attempt to circumvent security protocols and facilitate the smuggling of Nigeria’s mineral resources out of the country.

Further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of Nasidi, who is alleged to have supplied the gold bars to the AVSEC officer.

The EFCC said several foreign currencies were recovered from Nasidi at the time of his arrest, 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 also resulted in the arrest of Dan Zaria, who allegedly delivered the gold bars to Nasidi for onward transfer.
According to the commission, Dan Zaria admitted during interrogation that he had smuggled approximately 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11, 2026, using the same method employed in the latest operation.

The EFCC said the three suspects remain in its custody while investigations continue, adding that they would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the probe.

The agency reiterated its commitment to combating the illegal trafficking of mineral resources and cross-border financial crimes, warning that it would sustain surveillance operations at airports and other entry and exit points across the country.