Airport Heist Uncovered: N4.4 Billion Gold Smuggling Ring Busted in Kano
The EFCC has arrested an Aviation Security officer and two accomplices at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle over N4.4 billion worth of unprocessed gold and foreign currencies. The suspects, including an AVSEC Inspector, are currently in custody as investigations proceed.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the arrest of an Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer, Inspector I Ali Baffa, along with two other suspects, Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria. The arrests were made on June 11, 2026, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State, following intensified efforts by the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate to combat the illegal movement of mineral resources and bulk cash through international airports, a directive issued by the Commission's Executive Chairman.
Preliminary investigations by the anti-graft agency revealed that Ali Baffa allegedly attempted to smuggle 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars. He reportedly concealed these gold bars inside his trousers to evade airport security screening and facilitate their illegal export through outbound international passengers. The EFCC estimates the value of the recovered gold at more than N4.4 billion.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Aushabu Nasidi, who was identified as the alleged source of the gold bars. Upon his apprehension, Nasidi was found to be in possession of a significant amount of various foreign currencies. These included 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinar, 20,700 Philippine Pesos, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinar, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forint, and 1,000 Sudanese Dinar.
The investigation subsequently traced the gold supply chain to Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, who allegedly provided the gold to Nasidi before it was handed over to the AVSEC officer for smuggling. During interrogation, Dan Zaria confessed to having successfully smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold out of Nigeria between June 1 and June 11, 2026, utilizing the same network and concealment method.
All three suspects are currently held in EFCC custody as investigations continue. The anti-graft agency has stated that they will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing inquiries.