By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted suspected smuggled precious metals valued at ₦116.28 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, as it intensifies collaboration with key national institutions to bolster security and trade facilitation.
The Service disclosed on Monday that the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, handed over 22.80 kilogrammes of suspected silver bars and a suspect, Abduelhafeez Ibrahim, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano, following the seizure.
Adamu said the interception occurred during routine baggage screening when officers flagged a passenger’s luggage for secondary inspection.
“During non-intrusive scanning, one of the passengers’ luggage items was selected for secondary examination. Upon physical inspection, officers discovered 22.80kg of suspected silver bars concealed in the baggage, with an estimated value of ₦116,280,000”, he stated.
The suspect, who holds a Republic of Sudan passport, was scheduled to travel on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to the United Arab Emirates. He reportedly claimed the items were sourced from the Niger Republic, but failed to provide export documentation or evidence of the required declaration.
“The unlawful movement of regulated items across our borders is a violation of statutory provisions and attracts appropriate sanctions”, Adamu said, explaining that the handover to the EFCC was informed by the financial implications of the case and the Commission’s statutory mandate.
Receiving the suspect, EFCC Kano Zonal Director, Friday Ebelo, commended Customs officers for their professionalism and assured that investigations would be thorough and in line with due process.
Beyond the seizure, the Command has intensified collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to strengthen enforcement efficiency and streamline trade processes.
Adamu reaffirmed this commitment during a courtesy visit by the Commander of the 403 Flying Training School, Uchenna Ihediwa, stressing the shared national mandate of security institutions.
“We are serving one country and one national interest. Every action we take aligns with the development goals of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he stated, noting that modern Customs administration extends beyond revenue collection to trade facilitation, fiscal policy implementation, anti-smuggling operations, and trade data generation.
He described the Kano/Jigawa Command as strategically positioned, overseeing critical trade corridors including the Dala Inland Dry Port and the Maigatari border.
On revenue performance, Adamu disclosed that the Command generated over ₦101 billion in 2025, exceeding its annual target by 5.71 per cent.
“That performance was not accidental. It is the result of stakeholder engagement, improved compliance, operational discipline, and strategic deployment of resources”, he said.
He emphasised that inter-agency coordination remains crucial in tackling evolving threats.
“Synergy is not optional in today’s security environment. When institutions coordinate effectively, we strengthen enforcement, optimise resources, and achieve better results”, he added.
In a separate engagement with the Shippers’ Council’s North-West Zonal Director, Isah Audu, Adamu assured stakeholders of ongoing digital reforms and improved network infrastructure to enhance cargo clearance efficiency and operational reliability.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while enforcing compliance to safeguard national revenue and economic integrity.
