The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Wale Adeniyi, has handed over 21 luxury vehicles worth over N8.1 billion to the Canadian government. This follows reports by INTERPOL identifying West Africa, including Nigeria, as key destinations for stolen vehicles from Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
The vehicles, including high-end brands like Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Huracan, Mercedes-AMG, and Range Rover, were stolen abroad by criminal syndicates and shipped into Nigeria using fraudulent documentation. Adeniyi highlighted that West Africa has become a major hub for stolen vehicles, with a network spanning Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
This recovery was part of “Operation Hot Wheel,” a joint effort by the Nigeria Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Canadian authorities. Adeniyi confirmed that all 21 vehicles were tracked and recovered with the help of international law enforcement.
At the handover, Adeniyi expressed concern over the rise in stolen vehicles entering the region. He explained that this undermines Nigeria’s legitimate auto market and burdens the nation’s security resources. “This criminal trade impacts our economy and threatens the success of President Tinubu’s economic reforms aimed at establishing Nigeria as a trusted global business hub,” he said.
The operation’s objectives included identifying and intercepting stolen vehicles, disrupting trafficking networks, and enhancing international cooperation. The Nigeria Customs Service intensified its surveillance, leading to notable interceptions, such as a shipment at Onne Port containing three stolen 2021 Toyota Highlander vehicles from Canada, a Mercedes-Benz G550, and a Range Rover Sport in Lagos, and several other luxury cars across the city.
“These recoveries highlight the sophistication of transnational vehicle theft rings, who use false declarations and hidden shipments to evade detection,” Adeniyi warned, stressing the need for ongoing vigilance and improved border security.
