The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has recovered and repatriated two vehicles stolen in Abuja and trafficked to Burkina Faso, following a coordinated cross-border operation targeting an international vehicle theft syndicate.
The recovered vehicles—a 2018 Lexus SUV and a 2025 Toyota Hilux—were reportedly stolen at gunpoint in separate incidents in the Federal Capital Territory before being smuggled to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, by a criminal network involved in cross-border vehicle trafficking across Nigeria and the Sahel region.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the operation was carried out under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The statement disclosed that the Lexus SUV was stolen on August 3, 2025, while the Toyota Hilux was forcefully taken from its driver on February 20, 2026.
It explained that the recovery process began after the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and the Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care Board separately sought the assistance of INTERPOL NCB Abuja to trace the stolen vehicles.
The police said INTERPOL NCB Abuja immediately engaged its counterpart in Ouagadougou through established international cooperation channels, leading to investigations that tracked down the vehicles.
The statement noted that the successful operation was made possible through the combined efforts of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso, and intelligence officials attached to INTERPOL NCB Ouagadougou.
Following their recovery, the two vehicles were returned to Nigeria and officially handed over to representatives of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and the FCT Primary Health Care Board.
The police also confirmed that one suspect, identified as Issoufou Nagimou, was arrested during the operation and has been arraigned before the High Court of Burkina Faso.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its resolve to strengthen international policing partnerships through the INTERPOL network while intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal groups engaged in transnational vehicle trafficking as part of its mandate to safeguard lives and property.
