In a remarkable display of integrity, Auwal Ahmed, an airport staff member at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, set an example of honesty by returning approximately $10,000 (equivalent to N16 million) that he discovered while cleaning an aircraft in Kano State, North West Nigeria.
Ahmed, who works with the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), stumbled upon the large sum of money inside an envelope while performing routine cleaning duties on an Egyptian airline that had landed at around 1:30 pm on Wednesday.
Recalling the incident, Ahmed explained that it is standard procedure for staff members to report any found items to their supervisors. However, when his supervisor was unavailable, Ahmed took the initiative to inform the airline company’s manager, ensuring that steps were taken to locate the rightful owner.
Shortly after the report, a man approached the aircraft in a frantic search for the lost money. The manager questioned the man, who confirmed that he had indeed left an envelope filled with money on his seat—precisely where Ahmed had found it. After answering several questions correctly, the money was returned to the relieved owner.
The incident drew considerable attention at the airport, with many people praising Ahmed for his honesty. Some even carried him shoulder high in celebration of his noble act.
“Honestly, I feel very elated and excited,” Ahmed said, reflecting on the event. “I found it difficult to even go to bed because I am so happy that God used me to make someone else happy.”
For Ahmed, returning the money was a natural choice, ingrained in him by the values he learned at home. “Returning what does not belong to me is nothing to me because that was the training we got from home,” he added. “But I was thrilled to learn the value of the money and to see the owner, who spoke Arabic and didn’t understand Hausa, so happy that he hugged me many times.”
Auwal Ahmed hails from Kode in the Bunkure local government area of Kano State, where his act of integrity has now become a source of pride for his community.
