Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen exotic cars worth over N1.8 billion to Canadian government 

The vehicles, which include Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Huracan, Mercedes-AMG, and Range Rover models, were handed over at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in Lagos on Tuesday.

Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the cars were smuggled into Nigeria using falsified documents after being stolen from Canada, the United States, and Europe, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“The Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos on Tuesday handed over 21 exotic cars worth over N1.8 billion to the Canadian Government,” the report read in part.  

The vehicles were recovered through “Operation Hot Wheels,” a collaborative initiative between the NCS, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Canadian government.

Adeniyi explained that the operation was launched in response to a growing trend of transnational vehicle theft, with West Africa increasingly 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 not only tarnishes Nigeria’s international image but also impacts our economy through substantial revenue losses and increased security spending,” he said. 

Adeniyi highlighted the broader economic implications of these crimes, noting their disruptive impact on Nigeria’s automotive trade sector and the strain they place on the country’s security infrastructure.

He stressed that tackling the rising influx of stolen vehicles into Nigeria demands significant resources, such as improved border management and robust verification systems.

These measures, however, divert essential resources away from trade facilitation and initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth.

The Customs Boss explained that the syndicate behind the smuggling operation used various methods to conceal the stolen vehicles. These included false declarations and the use of legitimate cargo to disguise the cars during shipment.

Adeniyi noted that the criminal syndicates had become increasingly sophisticated, employing advanced concealment techniques to evade detection.