EFCC Arrests Three in ₦4.4bn Gold Smuggling Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested three individuals, including airport security personnel, in connection with a gold smuggling operation valued at ₦4.4 billion in Kano. The Kano zonal director of the EFCC confirmed that Baffa was intercepted during routine surveillance while attempting to conceal 22.2 kilograms of gold bars in trousers, intended for a passenger bound for an overseas destination.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Aushabu Nasidi, who was allegedly supplying the gold bars. During the interrogation, Nasidi was found in possession of various foreign currencies, including Saudi Riyal, Turkish Lira, Kuwaiti Dinar, Philippine Peso, Australian Dollar, Chinese Renminbi, Algerian Dinar, Hong Kong Dollar, Hungarian Forint, and Sudanese Dinar.

Mukhtar Muhammad, also known as Dan Zaria, was reported to have handed over gold to Nasidi and admitted to smuggling 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11. The EFCC suspects that the current investigation will lead to charges in court upon its conclusion.