Customs Intercepts Seven Luxury Vehicles Stolen From Canada at Lagos Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recovered seven luxury vehicles allegedly stolen from Canada at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

According to an internal Customs document dated May 5, 2026, the recovered vehicles include 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.

The agency stated that investigations confirmed the vehicles were stolen in Canada before being illegally exported and shipped into Nigeria.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Customs Service explained that the interception was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation against smuggling and cross-border vehicle theft.

Speaking during the handover of the vehicles to Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Frank Onyeka, the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Command, said the operation succeeded through intelligence sharing between the NCS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to Onyeka, Canadian authorities had tracked several stolen luxury vehicles believed to have entered Nigeria through international shipping networks.

He disclosed that one of the intercepted vehicles, a Toyota Tacoma, was concealed inside a container carrying other vehicles and had not yet been cleared when intelligence from Canada triggered immediate action.

“What initially appeared to be a normal cargo movement later turned into an international criminal investigation,” Onyeka said. “Once we received the intelligence, the consignment was placed under enforcement watch.”

He added that Customs officials isolated the suspicious container after receiving shipping records and intelligence reports from Canadian authorities.

The agency also delayed releasing the vehicles until Canadian officials arrived in person to complete the verification and recovery process.

“We rejected attempts by third parties to intervene because of the sensitive nature of the case,” Onyeka explained. “The handover had to be done directly to the Canadian government.”

The Customs boss said the operation reflects the agency’s commitment to fighting international vehicle theft syndicates using global shipping routes for illegal activities.

He further noted that the successful recovery highlights improving cooperation between Nigeria and Canada in intelligence sharing, cargo monitoring, and maritime enforcement against transnational crimes.