The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recovered twenty one stolen vehicles and handed them over to the Canadian authorities at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ ikeja .The vehicles were said to be intercepted at various locations in Lekki area of Lagos and Onne Port in Rivers State.
This was made known by the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi at a press briefing held at the FOU Zone A ikeja on Tuesday 26th November 2024.
According to the Customs Chief, the NCS has been working closely with international partners, including the Canadian authorities, to combat transnational vehicle theft and the operation, codenamed “Operation Hot Wheels,” was launched to disrupt the flow of stolen vehicles into Nigeria through its ports and borders.
Speaking further at the briefing, he made it known that according to statistics by INTERPOL, West Africa has become a hub for stolen vehicles and data shows that only 54% of these vehicles were recovered which shows the level of organised and sophisticated crime going on in Africa.
Stressing that the growing number of stolen vehicles entering Nigeria is a serious concern that affects not only the country’s automotive market but also its security infrastructure,he noted that intelligence from international law enforcement agencies confirms that Nigeria has become a preferred destination for internationally stolen vehicles, damaging the country’s international image and economy.
The recovered vehicles includes three 2021 Toyota Highlander vehicles, two Mercedes-Benz cars, a Lamborghini, a Rolls Royce, and two Range Rovers. The vehicles were valued at over N2.3 billion. Adeniyi announced that these recoveries highlights both the sophistication of transnational vehicle theft syndicates and their evolving concealment methods as the criminals now employ various tactics, including false declarations and use of containerised shipments , attempting to circumvent the NCS detection systems.
The CGC attributed the success of the operation to the enhanced risk management system and strengthened collaboration with international partners. He also commended the dedication and professionalism of NCS officers, who worked tirelessly to protect Nigeria’s borders.
He emphasised that the handover of the recovered vehicles to the Canadian authorities is a significant milestone in the fight against transnational crime as it demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to collaborating with international partners to protect the economy and preserve national integrity.
” 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 National Bureau of Statistics data
shows that between 2013-2015, only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered,
highlighting the scale and sophistication of this criminal enterprise.
“A recent intelligence-led operation at Area II Command, Onne Port, led to
the interception of a 1X40ft container (MRSU-5028706) that was declared to
contain used vehicles and auto spare parts. Physical examination of the container
revealed three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlander vehicles – two in Navy Blue
and one in Red color. Through collaboration with Operation Screen West Africa
(OSWA) and Interpol, two of these vehicles were confirmed stolen from Canada.
“Simultaneously, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ demonstrated exceptional vigilance with strategic interdictions at various locations in Lagos, including one Mercedes-Benz G550 with Range Rover Sport, valued at N506.8 million intercepted along Trinity Axis, one Mercedes-AMG GT with Lamborghini Huracan valued at N630.8 million
, one Rolls Royce intercepted at Victoria Island valued at N231.8 million, one Lamborghini 2019 Model recovered at Victoria Island valued at N239.1 million, Two Range Rovers (2023 & 2018 Models) intercepted along Lekki valued at N267.1 million, at Tincan Island Command Operations Additional luxury vehicles intercepted through intelligence-led operations were three Toyota Highlander 2021 Models.
” The success of these operations stems from our enhanced risk management system and strengthened collaboration with international partners. Working closely with Operation Screen West Africa
(OSWA), Interpol, and other international agencies, we have significantly
improved our capacity to identify and intercept stolen vehicles
“Operation Hot Wheels adds to our growing portfolio of collaborative
successes in 2024, a year we have strategically dedicated to strengthening
partnerships within the global Customs community” the CGC said.
