The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its steadfast commitment to international border security and tackling organised crime through joint intelligence operations.
At an official ceremony on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, held at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, the RCMP, alongside the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), recognised the NCS for its role in recovering 65 stolen Canadian vehicles intercepted in Nigeria.
The event marked the presentation of an Award of Recognition by the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, His Excellency Pasquale Salvaggio, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership in combating cross-border crime.
Speaking at the event, Mr Salvaggio stated:
“Through the support of the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with Canadian and Nigerian law enforcement agencies, we have disrupted key international crime networks and safeguarded the integrity of our borders.”
According to the RCMP, the 65 recovered vehicles were traced through joint operations led by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos, with 12 of them recently retrieved. The operation was facilitated through close cooperation with the EFCC, NDLEA, Interpol Nigeria, and the CBSA.
The Canadian High Commissioner highlighted several notable cases, including the interception of exotic vehicles valued at millions of dollars and the seizure of over 1,000 parcels of synthetic cannabis, locally referred to as loud, smuggled from Canada into Nigeria through various entry points.
In response, CGC Bashir Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the Government of Canada and reaffirmed NCS’s dedication to international cooperation.
“This recognition reflects the success of our collaborative approach. We value our strong relationships with the RCMP, CBSA, EFCC, NDLEA, and Interpol. Together, we have delivered tangible results that benefit both our countries and global trade,” he said.
CGC Adeniyi further proposed the establishment of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Canadian Border Services Agency to enhance enforcement, intelligence sharing, and training cooperation.
He stressed the need for deeper engagement among Customs agencies worldwide, pointing to the shared membership of both Nigeria and Canada in the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Representing the RCMP, Mr Liam Price, Director General of International Special Services, noted that the bilateral collaboration has strengthened Canada’s international enforcement capabilities.
Also recognised at the ceremony were key figures in Nigeria’s law enforcement community, including Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Barrister Shadrac Haruna; and Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, represented by AIG Olaolu Adegbite of Interpol Nigeria.
The event underscored the growing global reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service as a dependable partner in transnational security operations. It also highlighted the increasing impact of multi-agency efforts in confronting illicit trade and organised crime.
