EFCC Nabs Airport Security Officer, Two Others Over Alleged Gold Smuggling

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a senior airport security officer and two other suspects over an alleged plot to smuggle billions of naira worth of gold and foreign currencies through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.

The suspects, identified as Ali Baffa, an Inspector I with Aviation Security (AVSEC), Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were apprehended by operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency during a surveillance operation at the airport.

According to the EFCC, the operation was carried out on June 11 following a directive by its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for all commands to intensify efforts against the smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash through international airports.

Investigators alleged that Baffa attempted to facilitate the illegal export of a large quantity of unprocessed gold by concealing the items on his body to evade airport security checks.

Preliminary findings by the commission showed that the suspect was intercepted with 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars valued at more than N4.4 billion.

The EFCC said the gold was allegedly meant to be handed over to passengers travelling abroad for export out of the country.

Further investigations led operatives to Nasidi, who was alleged to have supplied the gold bars.

Upon his arrest, officers reportedly recovered several foreign currencies from him, 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 said investigations subsequently uncovered the alleged involvement of Dan Zaria, who was accused of providing the gold to Nasidi.

According to the EFCC, Dan Zaria told investigators that he had used the same method to smuggle about 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11, 2026.

The anti-graft agency said all three suspects remain in custody while investigations continue.

It added that they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The latest arrests come amid renewed efforts by the commission to clamp down on the illegal movement of cash, precious minerals and other economic resources through Nigeria’s international airports.