EFCC Arrests Aviation Security Officer, Two Others Over ₦4.4bn Gold Smuggling Attempt at Kano Airport
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested an Aviation Security officer and two suspected accomplices at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars worth over ₦4.4 billion out of Nigeria.
Inspector Ali Baffa, an aviation security officer, was apprehended on Thursday during a routine surveillance operation by the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate, the commission said Friday in a statement posted on its official social media platforms.
The EFCC said Baffa concealed the gold bars in his trousers with plans to hand them over to passengers traveling overseas.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Aushabu Nasidi, allegedly linked to supplying the gold, and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, who reportedly delivered the bars to Nasidi. Assorted foreign currencies were recovered from Nasidi, including Saudi Riyals, Turkish Lira, Kuwaiti Dinar, Philippine Peso, Australian Dollars, Chinese Renminbi, Algerian Dinar, Hong Kong Dollars, Hungarian Forint and Sudanese Dinar.
During interrogation, Dan Zaria confessed to smuggling about 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11, 2026, using the same method, according to the EFCC.
The three suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, the commission said.
The arrests come as Nigeria intensifies efforts to curb illegal export of solid minerals, particularly gold, amid concerns over revenue losses and smuggling syndicates. Security and anti-corruption agencies have recorded several arrests in recent years linked to unlawful movement of gold and other minerals through airports and border routes.
