EFCC arrests aviation security officer, two others over alleged attempt to smuggle gold worth N4.4bn

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has arrested an aviation security officer at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold worth more than N4.4 billion out of Nigeria.

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The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

The anti-graft agency identified the suspect as Ali Baffa, an Inspector I with Aviation Security (AVSEC). It alleged that he concealed 22.2 kilogrammes of unprocessed gold bars in his trousers to evade security checks and facilitate their illegal export.

According to the statement, Mr Baffa and two other suspects, Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were intercepted on Thursday (11 June) during a surveillance operation by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate.

The operation followed a directive by the EFCC chairperson for zonal offices to intensify efforts against the smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash through international airports.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that Ali Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilogrammes of unprocessed gold bars estimated at over N4,400,000,000 in his trousers, with the intent to bypass security checks and hand over the precious minerals to overseas-bound passengers for illegal export out of Nigeria,” according to the statement.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Mr Nasidi, whom the commission accused of supplying the gold bars to Mr Baffa.

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The EFCC said one of Mr Baffa’s alleged accomplices, Mr Nasidi, was found with several foreign currencies, including 3,000 Saudi riyals, 40,000 Turkish lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti dinar, 20,700 Philippine peso, 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 later led to the arrest of Mr Dan Zaria, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to Mr Nasidi.

During interrogation, Mr Dan Zaria allegedly told investigators that he had smuggled about 40.2 kilogrammes of gold between 1 and 11 June using the same method, according to the EFCC.

“Dan Zaria revealed to the Commission that he had smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilogrammes of gold from 1 June to 11 June using the same modus operandi,” the statement said.

The EFCC said all three suspects remain in its custody and would be charged in court after investigations are concluded.

Similar arrests

The commission has recently stepped up efforts to curb the illegal movement of mineral resources and undeclared cash through Nigeria’s international airports.

The latest arrest comes amid increased scrutiny of cash and mineral resource smuggling through Nigeria’s airports, especially Kano Airport.

READ ALSO: EFCC arraigns three over alleged attempt to defraud bank N10 billion

In May, the EFCC began investigating two passengers arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport over the alleged non-declaration of $461,600 brought into the country from Dubai. The agency said Customs officers discovered additional undeclared cash during a physical search after the suspects had made initial declarations.

In March, the Nigeria Customs Service handed over a suspect and 22.8 kilogrammes of suspected silver bars valued at more than N116 million to the EFCC after the items were intercepted during baggage screening at the Kano airport.

The Kano Directorate of the commission also investigated several cases involving undeclared foreign currencies intercepted at the airport in 2025. Those cases involved large sums of dollars, Saudi Riyals and other foreign currencies allegedly concealed in luggage.