The Nigeria Police Force has recovered several stolen cars that were trafficked across international borders to neighbouring West African countries, following coordinated operations through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the recoveries in a statement issued on Sunday. He confirmed that the vehicles were successfully traced, retrieved, and repatriated through collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
According to the statement, officers from INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in partnership with INTERPOL NCB Accra, recovered a 2020 Toyota Prado in Accra, Ghana. The vehicle, stolen during a robbery in Abuja, belongs to a Nigerian federal government agency.
Ghanaian authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the case and charged them in court in Accra. The vehicle was subsequently returned to Nigeria and formally handed over to the affected agency.
In a similar operation, police recovered a 2018 Toyota Hilux, also owned by a federal government agency. The vehicle had been reported stolen on October 18, 2024 from a staff member in the Utako District of Abuja.
Following an extensive investigation and with assistance from INTERPOL NCB Niamey, officers traced the Hilux to Agadez in Niger Republic. Officials handed the vehicle over at the Nigeria–Niger border (Ilela/Konni) to a senior representative of the agency.
The police also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to recover two more cars—a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV—both stolen in Abuja in May 2025 and later sold in Niamey, Niger Republic.
The Force urged Nigerians to register their vehicles on the Police Electronic Platforms and to adopt security measures that could aid recovery in the event of theft.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the professionalism and dedication of the officers involved. He reiterated the Force’s commitment to strengthening international policing partnerships.
He also expressed gratitude to INTERPOL NCB Accra, INTERPOL NCB Niamey, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra for their vital role in facilitating the recovery and repatriation of the stolen vehicles.
