THE Nigeria Police Force has announced the recovery of several vehicles stolen in Abuja and smuggled across borders to Ghana and Niger Republic, following coordinated international operations with INTERPOL.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police said the operations were executed through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja, in collaboration with its counterparts in Accra and Niamey.
Adejobi said a key recovery was a Toyota Prado (2020 model), stolen during a robbery incident in Abuja, which was later traced to Accra, Ghana.
The statement read, ”Operatives of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja, working in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Accra, recovered a Toyota Prado (2020 model) in Accra, Ghana.
“The vehicle, which belongs to a Federal Government Agency in Nigeria, was stolen during a robbery incident in Abuja recently.”
The police confirmed that three suspects were arrested in Ghana in connection with the theft and that they “have since been charged to court in Accra.”
“The vehicle was successfully returned back to Nigeria and formally handed over to the concerned agency,” the statement added.
In a separate incident, a Toyota Hilux (2018 model) belonging to another federal agency was stolen from a staff member in Utako District, FCT Abuja, on October 18, 2024.
The statement added, “Through extensive investigation and international cooperation facilitated by INTERPOL NCB Niamey, the vehicle was tracked to Agadez, Niger Republic, and officially handed over at the Nigeria-Niger border (Ilela/Konni) to a senior staff representing the agency.”
The Force also disclosed that it was in the process of recovering two more vehicles, a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV, which were “stolen from their owners in Abuja in May 2025 and subsequently sold in Niamey, Niger Republic.”
While commending the officers involved, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, said,”The commitment of the NPF under his leadership to improved global policing remains unwavering.”
He also thanked INTERPOL NCB Accra, INTERPOL NCB Niamey, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra for what the Force described as their “invaluable assistance in the recovery and return of these stolen vehicles.”
NPF urged Nigerians to take proactive security steps, noting, ”The Force hereby encourages all citizens to register their vehicles on the Police Electronic Platforms and take all necessary precautions to enhance the chances of swift recovery in the unfortunate event of theft.”
