Customs Returns 21 Stolen Cars Worth N1.8 Billion to Canada

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 21 stolen exotic vehicles valued at over N1.8 billion to the Canadian government. The vehicles were presented on Tuesday at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in Lagos by Wale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Customs.

According to Adeniyi, these cars were part of a growing trend where countries in West Africa, including Nigeria, serve as hubs for stolen vehicles from Canada, the United States, and Europe. These vehicles often arrive with falsified documents, making their recovery a complex process.

The operation to retrieve the cars was carried out under “Operation Hot Wheel,” a collaborative effort involving the Nigeria Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Canadian government. Adeniyi credited this partnership for the successful recovery of the stolen vehicles from a criminal syndicate operating in the region.

Adeniyi highlighted concerns raised by INTERPOL, which has identified West Africa as a significant hub in the global trade of stolen vehicles. He noted that this network spans continents, from North and South America to Europe and Australia, and has become an acute challenge for Nigeria.

“This situation undermines Nigeria’s legitimate automotive market, strains security infrastructure, and damages our international reputation,” he said. Adeniyi emphasized that this trend not only results in economic losses, such as reduced revenue and higher security costs, but also jeopardizes President Tinubu’s economic reforms aimed at positioning Nigeria as a reliable hub for global commerce.

He called for stronger international collaboration and heightened vigilance to combat the growing influx of stolen vehicles into the country.