Dailyreport
Nigeria has become a hotspot for the trafficking of stolen vehicles, with Customs Comptroller General Wale Adeniyi raising the alarm about its growing status as a preferred destination for stolen cars from around the globe. According to Adeniyi, international law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, have flagged West Africa as a hub for this illicit trade, with Nigeria often at the center.
Criminal syndicates exploit Nigeria’s ports and borders, smuggling in vehicles using falsified documentation. In recent operations, Nigerian Customs intercepted luxury vehicles worth billions, including Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, and Range Rovers. Many of these cars were traced back to Canada, where they were originally stolen. This trend not only undermines Nigeria’s economy but also tarnishes its reputation as it disrupts legitimate businesses and strains security infrastructure.
Customs officials are combatting this issue through intelligence-driven operations like “Operation Hot Wheel,” conducted in collaboration with international agencies. These efforts have resulted in significant recoveries, but Adeniyi warns of the broader economic damage, including lost revenue and increased security spending, which hinder Nigeria’s aspirations to be a trusted player in global trade.
