Customs Hands Over Recovered Stolen Vehicles to Canadian Government at Tin Can Port

Comptroller Frank Onyeka noted that the recovery highlights the growing cooperation between Nigeria and Canada in intelligence sharing, cargo profiling, and maritime enforcement, particularly in tackling organised cross-border crimes which involves stolen assets, illicit trade, and other fraudulent activities.

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over several recovered stolen vehicles traced to Canada to officials of the Canadian Government at the Tin Can Island Port Command, reinforcing growing international collaboration against transnational vehicle theft and other cross-border crimes.

They were formally handed over on Monday, 4 May 2026, by the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, to the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Nasser Salihou.

The recovery followed months of intelligence sharing and operational cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after Canadian authorities traced several stolen luxury vehicles believed to have been illegally shipped into Nigeria through international cargo routes.

An internal Customs document dated 5 May 2026 revealed that the intercepted vehicles included a 2019 Lexus RX350, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, 2023 Land Rover Range Rover, 2019 Lamborghini Huracán, 2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible, 2018 Lamborghini Aventador, and a 2026 Toyota Tundra, all confirmed to have been stolen and illegally exported before ending up in Nigeria.

Speaking shortly after the handover ceremony at the Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Onyeka disclosed that one of the vehicles, a Toyota Tacoma, was concealed inside a container transporting other vehicles and had not exited Customs control before intelligence from Canadian authorities triggered immediate intervention.

“What initially appeared to be a routine cargo movement quickly developed into an international criminal investigation. Once intelligence reached us, we immediately placed the consignment under enforcement watch and secured the vehicle pending confirmation from Canadian authorities,” Onyeka said.

He explained that the Service deliberately delayed the final release of the vehicles until officials of the Canadian government arrived to complete identification and recovery procedures.

“We had individuals attempting to intervene on behalf of others, but the matter was too sensitive. We insisted that the handover must be made directly to the Canadian government to preserve the integrity of the process,” he added.

Comptroller Onyeka stated that the operation underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s resolve to combat transnational vehicle theft syndicates that exploit global shipping routes to traffic stolen automobiles across continents.

He further noted that the recovery highlights the growing cooperation between Nigeria and Canada in intelligence sharing, cargo profiling, and maritime enforcement, particularly in tackling organised cross-border crimes involving stolen assets, illicit trade, and other fraudulent activities.