Nigeria Police Recover Two Stolen Vehicles from The Netherlands, Strengthening Global Crime-Fighting Ties

In a major breakthrough against transnational automobile theft, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has successfully recovered two vehicles stolen from the Netherlands — a 2020 Toyota C-HR and a 2019 Toyota RAV4.

The operation, coordinated through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB The Hague, marks another milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to international law enforcement cooperation. The vehicles were traced to Lagos and Akwa Ibom States after intelligence revealed they had been illegally shipped through the Port of Antwerp and arrived in Nigeria late in 2023.

Following extensive investigations and legal proceedings, the vehicles were officially handed over to representatives of the Dutch authorities and the insurance company that reported the theft.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the INTERPOL unit and the investigating officers for their professionalism, precision, and adherence to due process throughout the recovery operation. He reaffirmed the Force’s unwavering dedication to upholding global security cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria does not become a safe haven for stolen or smuggled assets.

“The success of this operation underscores the importance of intelligence-sharing and cross-border collaboration in tackling organized and transnational crime,” the IGP said, emphasizing that similar partnerships are ongoing to recover other stolen assets trafficked through Nigerian ports.

The Nigeria Police Force, through its INTERPOL and Criminal Investigation Departments, continues to strengthen its technological and intelligence capabilities to combat vehicle theft syndicates and other forms of international crime, in line with global best practices.