The Nigeria Customs Service has recovered and returned several high-end vehicles stolen in Canada after intercepting them at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, exposing an international car theft and smuggling network.
The vehicles were officially handed over to Canadian representatives during a ceremony held on May 4 at the port. Present at the event were the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, and Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nasser Salihou.
According to a statement by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the recovery followed sustained intelligence cooperation between Nigerian operatives and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Canadian authorities had earlier tracked multiple luxury automobiles stolen within their borders and traced their illegal shipment through global maritime routes to Nigeria.
Documents from Customs showed the intercepted automobiles included a Lexus RX350, Mercedes-Benz G550, Land Rover Range Rover, Lamborghini Huracán, Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible, Lamborghini Aventador, Toyota Tundra, and a concealed Toyota Tacoma. All were confirmed to have been stolen before being exported out of Canada.
Customs officials revealed that one of the vehicles had been hidden inside a container transporting other cars, a tactic believed to be part of a broader smuggling strategy used by transnational syndicates. The suspicious shipment was placed under close watch after intelligence alerts were received from Canada.
Onyeka explained that the Service deliberately withheld clearance of the consignment until Canadian officials arrived in Nigeria to verify ownership and take custody of the recovered cars, stressing the sensitivity of the operation.
He described the interception as evidence of Nigeria’s improving cargo surveillance, profiling systems, and growing capacity to collaborate internationally against organised crime. He also noted that criminal networks are increasingly exploiting shipping systems to disguise stolen vehicles as legitimate exports destined for emerging markets.
Security analysts say African seaports have become attractive destinations for stolen luxury vehicles due to strong demand and gaps in verification processes. However, Nigerian authorities maintain that strengthened intelligence systems and foreign partnerships are tightening controls at key entry points.
The development highlights deepening enforcement ties between Nigeria and Canada aimed at tackling cross-border crimes involving stolen assets and illicit trade, while reinforcing scrutiny at one of the country’s busiest vehicle import hubs.
