Canada Commends Nigeria Customs For The Recovery Of 65 Stolen Vehicles Worth Millions Of Dollars

Canada commends Nigeria Customs for its commitment to safeguarding borders, disrupting transnational organised crime.

This recognition by Canada follows the recent recovery of 12 luxury vehicles by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos.

It joins the 53 vehicles earlier recovered and bringing the total number of stolen Canadian vehicles intercepted in Nigeria to 65.

Recoveries were made possible through the collaboration between NCS, RCMP, CBSA, EFCC, NDLEA and Interpol Nigeria.

The exotic vehicles, worth millions of dollars, were smuggled from Canada into Nigeria through multiple ports, airports and other unapproved routes.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) International Special Services has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its commitment to safeguarding borders and disrupting transnational organised crime.

In a statement on Monday May 26th, the NCS said that the commendation was formally made during an official ceremony held on Wednesday May 21st 2025 at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.

At the event, the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio presented an Award of Recognition to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and the pivotal role of the Service in the fight against cross-border crimes.

This recognition follows the recent recovery of 12 luxury vehicles by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos, adding to the 53 vehicles earlier recovered and bringing the total number of stolen Canadian vehicles intercepted in Nigeria to 65.

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These recoveries were made possible through the strong collaboration between the NCS, the RCMP, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Interpol Nigeria.

In the citation read at the event, the Canadian envoy praised CGC Adeniyi for his role in the interception of various exotic vehicles worth millions of dollars smuggled from Canada into Nigeria through multiple ports, airports and other unapproved routes.

“Through the support of the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with Canadian and Nigerian law enforcement agencies, we have disrupted key international crime networks and safeguarded the integrity of our borders,” Salvaggio stated.

In his response, CGC Bashir Adeniyi appreciated the Government of Canada and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in combating illicit trade.

“This recognition reflects the success of our collaborative approach. We value our strong relationships with the RCMP, CBSA, EFCC, NDLEA, and Interpol. Together, we have delivered tangible results that benefit both our countries and global trade,” the CGC remarked.

Highlighting the global nature of modern crime, CGC Adeniyi emphasised that deeper engagement between Customs administrations across continents is crucial, especially as Nigeria and Canada are active members of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

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