The Nigeria Police Force has intensified efforts to crack down on a growing trend of vehicle theft involving high-end government vehicles smuggled and sold across neighboring African countries.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, working in collaboration with their counterparts in Ghana and Niger Republic, have successfully recovered several stolen government vehicles smuggled out of Nigeria.
Among the recovered vehicles is a 2020 Toyota Prado SUV belonging to a Federal Government agency. It was stolen during a robbery incident in Abuja and later traced to Accra, Ghana. INTERPOL operatives in Ghana arrested three suspects, who have since been charged to court. The vehicle has been returned to Nigeria and formally handed over to the concerned agency.
In another successful operation, INTERPOL NCB Abuja recovered a 2018 Toyota Hilux, also owned by a Federal Government agency. The vehicle was stolen from a staff member in the Utako District of Abuja on October 18, 2024, and later tracked to Agadez, Niger Republic, with the help of INTERPOL NCB Niamey. The vehicle was returned at the Ilela/Konni border post and handed over to a senior representative of the agency.
Further investigations are ongoing regarding two additional stolen vehicles: a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, both of which were taken from Abuja in May 2025 and resold in Niamey, Niger Republic. The Nigeria Police says efforts are in advanced stages to recover and return the vehicles.
The Force urged Nigerians to register their vehicles on police electronic platforms and remain vigilant, stressing that such measures increase the chances of recovery if theft occurs.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commended the swift actions and professionalism of the INTERPOL operatives. He also acknowledged the cooperation of INTERPOL NCB Accra, INTERPOL NCB Niamey, and the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana for their crucial support.
The Nigeria Police reaffirmed its commitment to global policing collaboration and enhancing internal mechanisms to deter cross-border vehicle theft.