The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for recovering 65 stolen luxury Canadian vehicles, highlighting strong international collaboration against transnational crime
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) International Special Services has lauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its exceptional efforts in recovering 65 stolen luxury vehicles originating from Canada, a significant blow to transnational organized crime networks.
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This commendation was formally delivered during an official ceremony held recently at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
The recent recovery of 12 luxury vehicles by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos, adding to the 53 previously intercepted, brings the total number of stolen Canadian vehicles recovered in Nigeria to an impressive 65.
The RCMP explicitly commended the NCS for its “unwavering commitment to safeguarding borders and disrupting transnational organised crime through strategic partnerships and intelligence-driven operations.”
According to a statement issued on Sunday, May 25, 2025, by Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, presented an award of recognition to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi.
Through the support of the NCS, in collaboration with Canadian and Nigerian law enforcement agencies, we have disrupted key international crime networks and safeguarded the integrity of our borders.
This award acknowledges Adeniyi’s leadership and the pivotal role of the NCS in the fight against cross-border crimes.
Maiwada explained that these significant recoveries were made possible through robust 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.
Earlier in the ceremony, Commissioner Salvaggio praised CGC Adeniyi for his sustained contributions to disrupting the operations of international crime syndicates.
Salvaggio highlighted specific successes, including the interception of various exotic vehicles worth millions of dollars, as well as the seizure of several kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as ‘loud’, which had been smuggled from Canada into Nigeria through multiple entry points.
“Through the support of the NCS, in collaboration with Canadian and Nigerian law enforcement agencies, we have disrupted key international crime networks and safeguarded the integrity of our borders,” Salvaggio affirmed.
In his response, CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada and reaffirmed the NCS’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.
Adeniyi further advocated for formalizing the growing partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NCS and the Canadian Border Services Agency.
This, he noted, would institutionalize cooperation on enforcement, intelligence exchange, and training, emphasizing that deeper engagement between customs administrations across continents is crucial, especially as Nigeria and Canada are active members of the World Customs Organisation.
Representing the RCMP, Liam Price, Director-General of International Special Services, acknowledged that the partnership with Nigeria Customs has significantly strengthened Canada’s international enforcement efforts and remains vital in tackling organized criminal networks.
