EFCC Arrests Aviation Security Inspector and Accomplices Over N4.4 Billion Gold Smuggling Plot

KANO — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intercepted a massive international mineral trafficking syndicate at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), arresting a senior Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer and two key accomplices for attempting to illicitly smuggle unprocessed gold bars worth over N4.4 billion out of the country. The high-profile sting operation, executed by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate, represents a major tactical milestone in the Federal Government's intensified campaign to eliminate systemic corruption and economic sabotage across the nation's critical international transit gateways.

According to formal statements released by the anti-graft agency, the primary suspect, an AVSEC Inspector identified as Ali Baffa, was apprehended during a targeted surveillance sweep after security operatives discovered 22.2 kilograms of raw gold bars strategically concealed inside his trousers. Investigators revealed that Baffa was abusing his statutory security clearance to bypass standard terminal screening checkpoints, intending to hand the precious minerals over to international-bound passengers once they safely cleared the boarding gates. Follow-up operations led to the swift arrest of Aushabu Nasidi, who acted as the immediate logistics coordinator and was found in possession of an extensive portfolio of global currencies, including Saudi Riyals, Turkish Lira, and Kuwaiti Dinars—alongside Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, the cartel's primary supplier. Under interrogation, Dan Zaria made a startling confession, admitting to successfully trafficking an additional 40.2 kilograms of gold earlier in the month using the exact same insider-security blueprint.