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Oscar Okhifo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer and two other suspects over an alleged attempt to smuggle 22.2 kilogrammes of unprocessed gold valued at more than N4.4 billion through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, in what the agency described as a major crackdown on the illegal export of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
The EFCC, in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the arrests were made by operatives of its Kano Zonal Directorate during an intelligence-led operation targeting the illegal export of solid minerals and the illicit movement of cash through the nation’s airports.
The commission alleged that the Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer, Ali Baffa, an Inspector I, attempted to smuggle 22.2 kilogrammes of unprocessed gold bars by concealing them inside his trousers to beat airport security screening before handing them over to passengers bound for an international destination.
According to the agency, the seized gold is estimated to be worth more than N4.4 billion, making it one of the major interceptions recorded in recent times.
The EFCC described the operation as part of its sustained effort to disrupt illicit mineral trafficking networks across the country.
The EFCC said two other suspects, Aushabu Nasidi and Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were apprehended in connection with the alleged smuggling ring.
Preliminary investigations, the commission said, indicated that Nasidi supplied the gold bars to Baffa for onward export, while Dan Zaria was later arrested after investigators traced the origin of the consignment to him.
The anti-graft agency also disclosed that a search conducted on Nasidi led to the recovery of several foreign currencies, including Saudi Riyals, Turkish Lira, Kuwaiti Dinars, Philippine Pesos, Australian Dollars, Chinese Renminbi, Algerian Dinars, Hong Kong Dollars, Hungarian Forints and Sudanese Dinars.
The EFCC said further interrogation of the suspects led to the alleged confession by Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria that he had successfully smuggled about 40.2 kilogrammes of gold out of the country between June 1 and June 11 using the same concealment strategy.
He was quoted as saying he carried out the operations through repeated discreet movements, which investigators say formed part of a wider trafficking pattern.
The commission noted that the disclosure has widened its investigation into what it believes is an organised network involved in the illegal export of Nigeria’s precious mineral resources.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said, “The operation is part of our sustained effort to rid the nation’s airports of criminal networks involved in illegal mineral exportation and related financial crimes.”
It stressed that the operation reflects the agency’s determination to dismantle smuggling syndicates and protect the nation’s economic interests by preventing the illicit movement of solid minerals across its borders.
The EFCC added that the three suspects are still in custody and will be arraigned before a competent court as soon as investigations into the case are concluded.