The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has returned 21 stolen vehicles worth billions of naira, reportedly smuggled from Canada.
The Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this during the handing over of the seized vehicles on Tuesday, November 26.
The stolen vehicles includes: three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlanders, two of which were confirmed stolen from Canada.
Other high-value recoveries include: A Lamborghini Huracan and a Mercedes-AMG GT, valued at ₦630.8 million, intercepted in Lagos.
A Rolls-Royce valued at ₦231.8 million and a 2019 Lamborghini valued at ₦239.1 million, both recovered in Victoria Island.
Two Range Rovers (2023 and 2018 models), worth ₦267.1 million, intercepted in Lekki.
A Mercedes-Benz G550 and a Range Rover Sport, worth ₦506.8 million, seized along the Trinity Axis in Lagos, among others.
“Over the past several months, we have intensified our operations against vehicle trafficking syndicates operating within our 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 – National Bureau of Statistics data showed that between 2013-2015, only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered, highlighting the scale and sophistication of this criminal enterprise.
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.
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 Comptroller General said.
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