Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has uncovered an alleged illegal gold export network at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, arresting three suspects, including an Aviation Security, AVSEC, officer, over an attempted smuggling of gold worth more than N4.4 billion.
The anti-graft agency said the operation was carried out by its Kano Zonal Directorate during a surveillance exercise aimed at curbing the illegal export of mineral resources and bulk cash through Nigeria’s international airports.
According to the EFCC, the prime suspect, Ali Baffa, an Inspector I with Aviation Security, was arrested alongside Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria for their alleged roles in the illicit trade.
The Commission disclosed that Baffa was intercepted on June 11, 2026, while allegedly attempting to facilitate the illegal export of 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars through the airport.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the AVSEC officer allegedly concealed the gold bars inside his trousers to evade security screening and deliver them to outbound international passengers for export out of Nigeria.
The EFCC estimated the value of the seized gold at over N4.4 billion.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Ali Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms 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,” the Commission stated.
Further investigations led operatives to arrest Aushabu Nasidi, who was allegedly identified as the supplier of the gold bars recovered from Baffa.
Upon his arrest, Nasidi was reportedly 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 EFCC said investigators subsequently traced the source of the gold to Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, who was also arrested in connection with the case.
During interrogation, Dan Zaria allegedly admitted involvement in a wider gold smuggling operation and disclosed that he had successfully smuggled about 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11, 2026, using the same method.
“While being interviewed, Dan Zaria revealed to the Commission that he had smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold from June 1 to June 11, 2026, using the same modus operandi,” the EFCC said.
The development highlights ongoing concerns over the illegal export of Nigeria’s solid minerals, a practice that deprives the country of significant revenue and undermines government efforts to formalise the mining sector.
The Federal Government has in recent months intensified enforcement actions against mineral smuggling, with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and relevant security agencies stepping up surveillance and prosecution of offenders.
The EFCC said all three suspects remain in its custody while investigations continue.
The Commission added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
