The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and recovered several high-value stolen vehicles allegedly originating from Canada, worth billions of naira. The service also intercepted arms and ammunition inside a commercial bus coming from Aba in Abia State to Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday, 26 November 2024 at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ in Lagos.
He noted that the recovered vehicles, which included 3 2021 Toyota Highlanders, one Mercedes-Benz G550, Range Rover Sport, one Mercedes-AMG GT with Lamborghini Huracan, one Rolls Royce, Lamborghini 2019 Model, two Range Rovers (2023 & 2018 Models), among others, were intercepted at various locations in Lekki, Tin-Can Island in Lagos and Onne Port, Rivers State.
According to him, the growing incidence of stolen vehicles finding their way into Africa region especially Nigeria has become a matter of serious concern.
He said “This criminal activity not only strains our operational capacity but also threatens the government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and establish Nigeria as a reliable partner in global trade.
He noted that the NCS has initiated Operation Hot Wheels, a targeted enforcement initiative, with collaborative effort with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Canadian authorities, aimed at disrupting the flow of stolen vehicles into Nigeria through the ports and borders.
The CGC expressed satisfaction with the successful operation saying, “Through enhanced intelligence gathering and strategic deployment of resources, our officers at various commands have successfully intensified surveillance operations while ensuring minimal disruption to legitimate trade flows.”
The recovered vehicles were formally handed over to the Canadian authorities, symbolising the strong international cooperation between the two countries.
