FG returns ₦8.1bn stolen cars to Canadian Government

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Wale Adeniyi, has handed over 21 luxury vehicles worth over ₦8.1 billion to the Canadian government.

Adeniyi disclosed that INTERPOL has identified some West African countries as hotspots for stolen exotic cars from Canada, the United States, and Europe.

According to reports, the recovered vehicles include prestigious brands such as Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Huracán, Mercedes-AMG, and Range Rover.

He revealed that a criminal syndicate had stolen the vehicles abroad and smuggled them into Nigeria using forged documents.

Through a special operation dubbed Operation Hot Wheel, law enforcement agencies successfully recovered all 21 vehicles. This initiative is a joint effort by the Nigeria Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Canadian government.

Adeniyi acknowledged the critical role played by the EFCC and Canadian authorities in facilitating the recovery and return of the stolen vehicles.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Adeniyi reiterated the NCS’s commitment to intensifying its crackdown on vehicle trafficking syndicates operating within Nigeria’s borders.

“According to INTERPOL reports, West Africa has emerged as a notable destination hub in the global stolen vehicle trade network, which extends from Europe and North America to as far as South America and Australia. This challenge is particularly acute in Nigeria,” he said.

The CGC indicated that data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that from 2013 to 2015, merely 54 per cent of stolen vehicles were recovered, highlighting the extent and sophistication of this criminal operation.

According to him, the increasing prevalence of stolen vehicles entering our region has raised significant alarm, as it jeopardizes our legitimate automotive market and places considerable pressure on our security systems.