The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Inspector 1 of Aviation Security (AVSEC), Ali Baffa, alongside his alleged accomplices, Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, over alleged involvement in bulk cash and mineral resources smuggling.
The suspects were intercepted during a routine surveillance operation by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the Kano Zonal Directorate, following a directive 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, valued at over N4.4 billion, in his clothing with the intention of bypassing airport security checks and handing them over to outbound passengers for illegal export.
A statement by the EFCC on Thursday further disclosed that investigations led to the arrest of Nasidi, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to Baffa.
Nasidi was found in possession of various foreign currencies, including Saudi Riyals, Turkish Lira, Kuwaiti Dinar, Philippine Peso, Australian Dollars, Chinese Renminbi, Algerian Dinar, Hong Kong Dollars, Hungarian Forint and Sudanese Dinar.
The Commission added that a third suspect, Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to Nasidi, was also arrested during the operation.
During interrogation, Dan Zaria reportedly admitted to smuggling an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11, 2026, using the same method of concealment.
The EFCC confirmed that all three suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to dismantling illegal networks involved in the smuggling of strategic national resources through Nigerian airports.