The Nigeria Customs Service has returned 21 stolen luxury cars, worth more than N1.8 billion, to the Canadian government.
The vehicles, which include Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Huracan, Mercedes-AMG, and Range Rover models, were handed over at the Federal Operations Unit in Lagos on Tuesday.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, explained that these vehicles were smuggled into Nigeria with fake documents after being stolen from Canada, the United States, and Europe.
“The Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos on Tuesday handed over 21 exotic cars worth over N1.8 billion to the Canadian Government,” Adeniyi said.
The vehicles were recovered through Operation Hot Wheels, a joint initiative between the NCS, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Canadian government.
Adeniyi noted that the operation was launched in response to West Africa becoming a hub for stolen luxury cars.
“The growing incidence of stolen vehicles finding their way into our region has become a matter of serious concern, as it not only undermines our legitimate automotive market but also strains our security infrastructure. Recent intelligence from international law enforcement agencies further confirms that our region has become a preferred destination for internationally stolen vehicles. This is a trend that tarnishes Nigeria’s international image and affects our economy through revenue losses and increased security spending,” he said.
Adeniyi added that these crimes disrupt the country’s automotive trade and require significant resources to combat, such as better border control and vehicle verification systems.
“These measures, however, divert resources away from initiatives aimed at boosting economic growth,” he explained.
The Customs Boss highlighted several smuggling tactics used by the syndicates, including false declarations and hiding stolen cars among legitimate cargo.
For example, a 40-foot container intercepted at Onne Port was declared as carrying used vehicles and auto spare parts. Upon inspection, it contained three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlanders, two of which were confirmed as stolen from Canada.
Other recoveries included a Mercedes-Benz G550 and a Range Rover Sport, worth N506.8 million, intercepted in Lagos. A Mercedes-AMG GT and a Lamborghini Huracan, worth N630.8 million, were also seized in Lagos. A Rolls Royce valued at N231.8 million and a 2019 Lamborghini priced at N239.1 million were recovered in Victoria Island. Two Range Rovers, 2023 and 2018 models, were intercepted in Lekki and Tincan Island, with a combined value of N267.1 million.
Adeniyi stressed that the syndicates behind these operations are becoming more sophisticated, using advanced concealment techniques to evade detection.
