The Nigeria Police Force has successfully recovered two vehicles — a 2020 Toyota C-HR and a 2019 Toyota RAV4 — that were stolen in the Netherlands and smuggled into Nigeria. The recovery followed a joint investigation by officers from Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja and Interpol NCB The Hague, who traced the vehicles to Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.

According to reports, the stolen cars were originally taken from Amsterdam and Midden-Nederland before being illegally shipped through the Port of Antwerp in Belgium, eventually arriving in Lagos by the end of 2023. Investigations revealed that the vehicles were part of a cross-border car theft and smuggling operation.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has now issued a final forfeiture order in favour of the Dutch government, acting through the vehicles’ insurance company. This legal decision officially allows the cars to be returned to the Netherlands.

Following the court’s ruling, Interpol NCB Abuja handed over the recovered vehicles to representatives of the insurance company and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria. The move marks another milestone in the collaboration between Nigerian and international law enforcement agencies.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the professionalism and coordination displayed by the Interpol operatives. He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to combating transnational crimes and maintaining Nigeria’s strong reputation for international police cooperation.