Solomon OKPO
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against transnational crimes, following the recovery of several vehicles stolen in Nigeria and trafficked to Ghana and Niger Republic. The feat was accomplished through strategic international collaboration spearheaded by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja.
In a coordinated operation with INTERPOL NCB Accra, officers recovered a 2020 model Toyota Prado belonging to a Federal Government agency. The vehicle had been stolen during a robbery in Abuja.
Three suspects were apprehended in Accra, Ghana, where they were promptly arraigned in court. The stolen SUV has since been returned to Nigeria and handed over to the concerned agency.
In another operation, the Nigerian INTERPOL team successfully traced a 2018 Toyota Hilux—also property of a federal agency—to Agadez, Niger Republic. The vehicle, stolen on October 18, 2024, in Utako District, Abuja, was returned through the Nigeria-Niger border at Ilela/Konni and received by a senior agency official.
Additionally, efforts are underway to retrieve two more high-end vehicles—a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado—stolen in Abuja in May 2025 and located in Niamey, Niger Republic.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to leveraging international cooperation to fight cross-border crimes. He also acknowledged the instrumental roles played by INTERPOL NCB Accra, INTERPOL NCB Niamey, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.
The Force advised Nigerians to register their vehicles on the Police Electronic Platforms and adopt all necessary preventive measures to improve the odds of vehicle recovery in cases of theft.
