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The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over several stolen luxury vehicles traced to Canada after intercepting them at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, in what officials described as a significant breakthrough against international vehicle theft syndicates.
The recovered vehicles, including brands such as Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz, were formally transferred to Canadian authorities during a ceremony held at Tin Can Island Port on Monday, May 4, 2026.
The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Nasser Salihou, received the vehicles from the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka.
According to a statement issued by the Nigeria Customs Service spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the operation followed months of intelligence sharing between Nigerian officials and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Canadian authorities had reportedly tracked several stolen luxury vehicles exported through international shipping routes before they were traced to Nigeria.
Customs documents dated May 5, 2026, listed the recovered vehicles as including a 2019 Lexus RX350, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, 2023 Range Rover, 2019 Lamborghini Huracán, 2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn, 2018 Lamborghini Aventador, and a 2026 Toyota Tundra.
Officials confirmed that all the vehicles were stolen abroad and illegally shipped into Nigeria.
Comptroller Frank Onyeka explained that one of the vehicles was discovered concealed inside a container and only intercepted after intelligence alerts from Canadian authorities.
He said Customs officers immediately placed the shipment under surveillance and prevented its release pending verification.
He added that the agency insisted on a direct handover to Canadian officials to maintain transparency and strengthen international trust.
The Nigeria Customs Service said the operation highlights growing cooperation between Nigeria and Canada in tackling cross-border organised crime, particularly the trafficking of stolen luxury vehicles through global shipping networks.
