The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the leadership of Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has handed over 21 stolen vehicles to Canadian authorities in Lagos.
The vehicles were recovered as part of “Operation Hot Wheels,” a targeted initiative aimed at disrupting transnational vehicle theft and smuggling syndicates.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Adeniyi highlighted West Africa’s growing role as a hub in the global stolen vehicle trade, which spans Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
He also revealed the interception of arms and ammunition concealed inside a luxurious bus traveling from Aba, Abia State, to Lagos, further underscoring the region’s smuggling challenges.
“The recent surge in vehicle trafficking syndicates operating within our borders has necessitated intensified operations,” Adeniyi said.
Intelligence from international law enforcement agencies confirms that Nigeria is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for stolen vehicles, tarnishing the country’s international reputation and causing economic setbacks.
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He emphasized the economic implications, including revenue losses, heightened security spending, and damage to Nigeria’s legitimate automotive trade. “This trend undermines President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, which seeks to establish Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce,” Adeniyi noted.
Launched as a partnership between the NCS, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Canadian authorities, “Operation Hot Wheels” focuses on intelligence sharing, strategic interdictions, and dismantling trafficking networks. Adeniyi explained that the operation is designed to identify stolen vehicles, disrupt syndicates, and bolster international cooperation.
“The operation leverages enhanced intelligence gathering and multi-agency collaboration, ensuring minimal disruption to legitimate trade flows while targeting criminal networks,” Adeniyi said.
In a separate operation, the NCS intercepted a cache of arms and ammunition hidden in a luxury bus traveling from Aba to Lagos. Adeniyi did not disclose the full inventory but assured that investigations are ongoing to trace the origins and destination of the weapons.
Through its collaboration with Operation Screen West Africa (OSWA) and Interpol, the NCS has significantly improved its risk management systems and capacity to track stolen vehicles.
“The integration of our systems with international databases has been instrumental in verifying the status of vehicles and enabling swift action,” Adeniyi added.
The successful handover of vehicles and recent interdictions underscore Nigeria Customs’ commitment to combating transnational crimes and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic integrity.
Adeniyi reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to protecting Nigeria’s borders while enhancing trade facilitation and strengthening international partnerships.