Customs Saves Embarrassed Nigeria,   Hands Over Stolen Vehicles To Canada

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS,  on Tuesday November 26,2024, saved Nigeria an embarrassment. By that, the NSC showed the International Community that the country does not condone evil.

On Thursday, the NCS officially  handed over about 21 imported, but stolen vehicles, to the Canadian authorities.

This is just the Comptroller General CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, regretted that the West African sub region has assumed the notorious status of the destination of choice for stolen vehicles from across the world.

The CGC, while addressing the media at the event which held in Lagos, also informed that the vehicles, most of which are exotic , were confirmed stolen by relevant international and partner security agencies such as the Interpol.

According to the him, West Africa has remained the hub for a thriving network that specializes in receiving stolen vehicles from Europe, North  America, Australia and other parts of the globe.

“Over the past months, we have intensified our operations against vehicle smuggling and trafficking syndicates operating within our borders.

“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, according to INTERPOL reports.

“This challenge is particularly acute in Nigeria. National Bureau of Statistics data shows that between 2013 to 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 for 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 ,a trend that not only tarnishes Nigeria international image ,but also impacts our economy through substantial revenue losses and increased security spending .

“The economic implications of this criminal enterprise are far-reaching and deeply concerning .

“Beyond damaging our legitimate automotive trade sector, and international business relationships, it undermines President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms agenda that aims to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce”,  the CGC noted .

Further speaking he informed that the Service has been forced to divert substantial resources towards enhanced border management, as well as rigorous verification processes to combat the menace of smuggling and other criminal activities on Nigeria’s borders.

These scarce resources, he insisted, would have been channelled into such necessary projects such as trade facilitation initiatives and economic growth programmes.

“The criminal activities not, he noted, not only strains the Service operational capacity ,but also threatens Government’s efforts towards attracting foreign investment,and establishing Nigeria as reliable partner in global trade .

” In response to the these challenges , CGC Adeniyi , stated that the NCS has initiated Operation Hot Wheels which is primarily aimed at stridently enforcing some initiatives targeted  at disrupting the operations of criminal networks involved in smuggling stolen vehicles into the country.

“The operations primary objectives include identifying and intercepting stolen vehicles ,dismantling trafficking networks and strengthening international cooperation in combating transnational vehicle theft .

“This multi-agency approach was designed to leverage the unique capabilities and jurisdictional advantages of each participating organization.

“Through enhanced intelligence gathering ,and strategic deployment of resources ,our officers at various Commands have successfully intensified surveillance operations while ensuring minimal disruption to legitimate trade flows”, CGC Adeniyi noted .

According to him ,the vehicles handed over to Canadian authorities were duely intercepted as smuggling items ,and certified by INTERPOL and other international agencies as being stolen from Canada .

“Through collaboration with Operation Screen West Africa OSWA and INTERPOL,two of these vehicles were confirmed stolen from Canada .

“The exotic vehicles such as Lamborghini Huracan ,Rolls Royce ,Mercedes AMT GT ,Range Rover Spot with a combined value of over N5 billion, were seized from various seaports across the country.”