Customs Intercepts 21 Stolen Vehicles, Two Of These Vehicles Stolen From Canada
Customs Intercepts 21 Stolen Vehicles, Two Of These Vehicles Stolen From Canada
By Asuquo Nuwak
The Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has announced on Tuesday that the Nigeria Customs Service has Intercepted 21 exotic vehicles worth billion of naira from various Customs Commands across the country with two of these vehicles confirmed stolen from Canada
The Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday in Lagos handed over these vehicles worth billion of naira to the Canadian authorities.
The Comptroller General of Customs(CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, who made the handing over at the Federal Operation Unit (FOU), zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service in Ikeja, Lagos, also disclosed that the International Police (INTERPOL) had identified countries in West Africa as hub for exotic vehicles stolen from Canada, America and Europe.
The breakdown of exotic vehicles that were handed over included Rolls Royce, Labomgini Horicane, Mercedes-AMG and Rang Rover.
CGC Adeniyi disclosed that members of the syndicate stole vehicles from foreign countries and subsequently ship them into Nigeria, using falsified documents.
Besides this, he said officers were able to recover about 21 exotic cars from the criminal gang, with the aid of the recently established Operations Hot Wheel.
Operation Hot Wheel, according him, consist of officers from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Canadian government.
The Customs Boss, also revealed that all the 21 vehicles were recovered with the aid of the Canadian Government as well as the EFCC. According to the report from INTERPOL, West Africa has become a notable destination hub in the global vehicle stolen trade network.
He noted that this global network extends from Europe and North America to South America and Australia.
He said,
available data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), between 2013 to 2015, has shown that only 54 per cent of stolen vehicles were recovered, showing
the scale and sophistication of this criminal enterprise.
CGC Adeniyi noted that the growing incidence of stolen vehicles finding their way into our region has become a matter of serious concern, as it does not only undermines our legitimate automotive market, but also strains our security infrastructure.
He said the recent intelligence from international law enforcement agencies further confirms that our region has become a preferred destination for internationally stolen vehicles.
The Customs Boss is quoted as saying that: “This is a trend that does not only tarnishes Nigeria’s international image, but also impacts our economy through substantial revenue losses and increased security spending”.
He added that the economic implications of this criminal enterprise were far-reaching and deeply concerning.
He is quoted as saying that: “Beyond damaging our legitimate automotive trade sector and international business relationships, it undermines President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda that aims to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce. The service is forced to divert substantial resources towards enhanced border management and rigorous verification processes and resources that should ideally be channelled towards trade facilitation initiatives and economic growth programmes”.
This criminal activity, according him, does 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.
In response to these challenges, he said the Nigeria Customs Service gave rise to the initiation of “Operation Hot Wheels”, which is aimed at disrupting the flow of stolen vehicles into Nigeria through our ports and borders.
In the words of CGC Adeniyi: “This initiative is launched as a collaborative effort between the NCS, EFCC and Canadian authorities, which is focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated surveillance and strategic interdiction.
The operation’s primary objectives included identifying and intercepting stolen vehicles, dismantling trafficking networks, and strengthening international cooperation in combating transnational vehicle theft”.
According to the report, this multiagency approach was designed to leverage the unique capabilities and jurisdictional advantages of each participating organization.
CGC Adeniyi also noted that officers at various commands had successfully intensified surveillance operations through the enhanced intelligence gathering and strategic deployment of resources.
Besides this, he said that 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.
Upon physical examination of the container it was revealed that three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlander vehicles, two in Navy Blue and one in Red color. He said
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’ of Nigeria Customs Service, has demonstrated exceptional vigilance with strategic interdictions at various locations in Lagos. The breakdown of the Intercepted vehicles
included one Mercedes-Benz G550 and Range Rover Sport, valued at N506.8 million, intercepted along Trinity Axis in Lagos, one Mercedes-AMG GT and 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 worth N239.1 million.
Further breakdown of Intercepted vehicles included two Range Rovers, 2023 and 2018 Models, intercepted along Lekki and Tincan Island Command valued at N267.1 million,
additional luxury vehicles intercepted through intelligence-led operations, including three Toyota Highlander 2021 Models.
CGC Adeniyi noted that these recoveries has shown the sophistication of transnational vehicle theft syndicates and their evolving concealment methods.
According to him, criminals are employing various tactics, including false declarations and use of containerized shipments, attempting to circumvent customs detection systems.
He revealed that the operation exposed how stolen vehicles were being smuggled through nation’s ports using legitimate cargo as cover.
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