Olayiwola Matthew
The Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos on Tuesday handed over 21 exotic cars worth over N1.8 billion to the Canadian Government.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi, made the handover at the Federal Operation Unit (FOU), in Lagos
The CGC also disclosed that the International Police (INTERPOL) had also identified countries in West Africa as hubs for exotic vehicles stolen from Canada, America and Europe.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that among the exotic vehicles that were handed over include Rolls Royce, Lambogini Horicane, Mercedes-AMG and Range Rover.
The CGC revealed that members of the syndicate stole vehicles from foreign countries and subsequently shipped them into Nigeria, using falsified documents
He added the officers were able to recover about 21 exotic cars from the criminal gang, with the aid of the recently established Operations Hot Wheel.
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.
“These included one Mercedes-Benz G550 with Range Rover Sport, valued at N506.8 million, were intercepted along Trinity Axis in Lagos. Also one Mercedes-AMG GT with Lamborghini Huracan, valued at N630.8 million,” he said.
He added that one Rolls Royce was intercepted at Victoria Island, valued at N231.8 million and one Lamborghini 2019 Model recovered at Victoria Island worth N239.1 million.
“Others are 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,” he explained.
He stated that these recoveries highlighted both the sophistication of transnational vehicle theft syndicates and their evolving concealment methods.
According to him, criminals now employ various tactics, including false declarations and use of containerized shipments, attempting to circumvent customs detection systems.
He added that the operation exposed how stolen vehicles were being smuggled through nation’s ports using legitimate cargo as cover.