INTERPOL, in a statement, revealed that more than 12,600 vehicles were inspected during the operation, resulting in the seizure of over 75 vehicles and the launch of 18 new investigations into vehicle crime and its links to organised criminal networks.
The operation, codenamed Safe Wheels, took place from March 17 to 30, 2025 and involved national law enforcement agencies across 12 West African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana.
According to INTERPOL, the majority of stolen vehicles were traced to Canada, while others were identified as having been stolen in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Toyota, Peugeot and Honda were the most commonly recovered makes.
“Each year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are stolen around the world, yet the initial theft is often only the beginning of a vehicle’s journey into the global criminal underworld,” said David Caunter, INTERPOL’s Director of Organised and Emerging Crime.
“Stolen vehicles are trafficked across the globe, traded for drugs and other illicit commodities, enriching organised crime groups and even terrorists. INTERPOL’s SMV (Stolen Motor Vehicle) database is the strongest tool we have to track stolen vehicles and identify the criminals involved in this global trade,” he added.
The SMV database, which INTERPOL provides to its 196 member states, allowed officers in the region to check suspicious vehicles and immediately confirm their status. In 2024 alone, the database helped identify around 270,000 stolen vehicles globally.
In Nigeria, the operation uncovered six high-end vehicles—four of which bore signs of forced entry—hidden in freight containers arriving in Lagos from Canada. The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) confirmed that all six vehicles, including Toyota and Lexus models, had been reported stolen in Canada in 2024.
In support of Safe Wheels, INTERPOL deployed nine officers and experts from its SMV Task Force, including a specialist from Canada, to assist local law enforcement in Benin, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo.
The operation was carried out under Project Drive Out, a new partnership between INTERPOL and the Government of Canada aimed at curbing vehicle theft and the illegal trade in auto parts. Funding for the project was provided by Canada.
The participating INTERPOL member countries included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. Daily, law enforcement teams in these countries established an average of 46 checkpoints to inspect vehicles and track trafficked units.
Officials say the operation marks a significant step in regional efforts to clamp down on organised vehicle theft and bolster international policing cooperation.
from Business insider Africa
Lekki is the headquarters of the stolen cars.
ReplyDeleteBet they wont write comments on this post.
😄😄😄😄.
DeleteAnon I Laughed....
Ironically this Stolen Cars are High earned cars , So Yes "Some Stolen cars can be Found in Lekki.
This is serious,that means one could be driving a stolen car without even knowing, wow.
ReplyDeleteThese thieves stay making legit businesses look bad
DeleteInterpol should Start at Nigeria Sea Port.
DeleteThis Stolen Cars will be Cleared out from the Port, HOW????
Then same Customs will start looking for this same cars that had been cleared to leave the Port by thier Colleagues .
This is very embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteWe badder than bad in criminal activities.
On the other hand, I admire how determined the law enforcement agency of Canada is, deploying financial and human resources to trace stolen cars traveling beyond their country and continent.
That's why ID is one of my favourite channels
Nigeria my great country. May God help us all.
ReplyDeleteAll those high-end cars most are stolen.
ReplyDeleteThis is why when you see folks posting this and that a social media mind your business. Many are trying to pepper ppl with stolen goods. And also be careful who you take rides with, some ppl have cursed the vehicles and the thieves.
ReplyDelete