Nigerian Customs officers seize 21 stolen vehicles smuggled from Canada, highlighting intensified efforts to combat cross-border vehicle theft and illegal importation.
Under the leadership of Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 21 stolen vehicles worth several billion naira.
During the Service’s intensified anti-smuggling operations, the vehicles stolen from Canada were recovered.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Adeniyi also disclosed the interception of weapons and ammunition hidden inside a commercial bus traveling from Aba in Abia State to Lagos.
The head of Customs emphasized the Service’s dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and combating illegal activities, noting that these accomplishments showcase the agency’s commitment to its mission.
According to Platinumpost, the stolen vehicles include three 2021 Toyota Highlanders, a Mercedes-Benz G550, a Range Rover Sport, and a Mercedes-AMG GT paired with a Lamborghini Huracan. Also reported stolen are one Rolls Royce, another Lamborghini of the 2019 model year, as well as two Range Rovers from the years 2023 and 2018 models along with three Toyotas.
2021 Highlander models, among others.
During the handover of seized vehicles, the Customs CG informed journalists that West Africa has become a significant destination in the global network for stolen vehicle trade. He disclosed that these vehicles were intercepted at Lekki, Tin-Can Island in Lagos, and Onne Port in Rivers State.
He stated that the network stretches from Europe and North America all the way to South America and Australia.
In recent months, we have ramped up our efforts against vehicle trafficking syndicates operating within our borders. INTERPOL reports indicate that West Africa has become a significant destination hub in the global network of stolen vehicle trade, stretching from Europe and North America to South America and Australia.
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This issue is especially pronounced in Nigeria. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, data from 2013-2015 indicates that only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered, underscoring the magnitude and complexity of this criminal operation.
He stated that the increasing number of stolen vehicles entering our region is a major concern, as it undermines our legitimate automotive market and puts pressure on our security infrastructure.
The head of Customs, however, emphasized that in addition to harming the country’s legitimate automotive trade sector and international business relations, this issue also undermines President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform agenda. This agenda seeks to establish Nigeria as a reliable center for international commerce.
He mentioned that fighting these crimes has compelled the Service to allocate significant resources to improving border management and implementing strict verification processes, which ideally should be directed towards initiatives for facilitating trade and promoting economic growth.
Recent intelligence from international law enforcement agencies further indicates that our region has become a favored destination for internationally stolen vehicles. This trend not only damages Nigeria’s global reputation but also affects our economy with significant revenue losses and heightened security expenditures.
The economic impact of this criminal operation is extensive and worrisome. It not only harms our legitimate automotive industry and international business partnerships but also jeopardizes President Tinubu’s economic reform plan, which seeks to establish Nigeria as a reliable center for global trade.
The Service is compelled to redirect significant resources towards improved border management and stringent verification processes—resources that would ideally be allocated to trade facilitation initiatives and promoting economic growth.
This criminal activity not only exhausts our operational resources but also jeopardizes the government’s initiatives to attract foreign investment and position Nigeria as a dependable partner in global trade.
To address these challenges, the Nigeria Customs Service launched Operation Hot Wheels, a focused enforcement effort designed to disrupt the importation of stolen vehicles into Nigeria via ports and borders.
Initiated as a joint endeavor by the Nigeria Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Canadian authorities, this operation concentrated on sharing intelligence, coordinating surveillance activities, and implementing strategic interdiction measures. Its main goals were to identify and seize stolen vehicles, dismantle trafficking networks, and enhance international collaboration in combating transnational vehicle theft.
“The CG explained that this collaborative, multi-agency strategy was crafted to utilize the distinct strengths and jurisdictional benefits of each participating organization. By improving intelligence gathering and strategically deploying resources, officers across different commands have heightened surveillance efforts while maintaining minimal interruption to legitimate trade.”
