The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) International Special Services has applauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its steadfast efforts in securing borders and dismantling transnational organised crime through collaborative and intelligence-led operations.
In a statement issued on Monday by NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the commendation follows the recent recovery of 12 luxury vehicles by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos. These recoveries add to the 53 earlier traced, bringing the total number of Canadian stolen vehicles intercepted in Nigeria to 65.
The successful operations were made possible through joint efforts between the NCS, the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Interpol Nigeria.
The formal commendation was delivered during an official ceremony on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja. His Excellency Pasquale Salvaggio, High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, presented an Award of Recognition to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, acknowledging his leadership and the Customs Service’s instrumental role in fighting cross-border criminal activities.
During the presentation, Salvaggio praised CGC Adeniyi for his continued contributions to disrupting the operations of international criminal syndicates. He pointed to specific cases, including the interception of luxury vehicles worth millions of dollars and the seizure of large quantities of synthetic cannabis, commonly referred to as “loud”, smuggled from Canada into Nigeria via multiple airports, ports, and unauthorised routes.
“Thanks to the support of the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with Canadian and Nigerian law enforcement agencies, we have been able to dismantle major international crime networks and preserve the security of our borders,” said Salvaggio.
In his remarks, CGC Bashir Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the Canadian Government for the recognition and reaffirmed NCS’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation in the fight against illegal trade.
“This honour reflects the achievements of our collaborative approach. We deeply value our partnerships with the RCMP, CBSA, EFCC, NDLEA, and Interpol. Together, we have recorded significant outcomes that serve the interests of both countries and global commerce,” he stated.
The Comptroller-General proposed formalising the existing partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NCS and the CBSA to solidify frameworks for enforcement, intelligence sharing, and training.
Recognising the borderless nature of modern crime, CGC Adeniyi stressed the need for deeper cooperation between customs authorities across continents, especially as both Nigeria and Canada are active participants in the World Customs Organization (WCO).
Speaking on behalf of the RCMP, Mr Liam Price, Director General of International Special Services, acknowledged that the collaboration with NCS has significantly enhanced Canada’s global enforcement strategy and continues to be vital in confronting organised criminal networks.
Also recognised during the event were other heads of Nigeria’s key enforcement agencies, including Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the EFCC; Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, represented by Barrister Shadrac Haruna; and Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector General Olaolu Adegbite of Interpol Nigeria.
The award reaffirms the Nigeria Customs Service’s growing status as a dependable force in international border control and underscores the importance of sustained inter-agency cooperation in tackling illegal trade and transnational crime.
