The Royal Canadian Mounted Police International Special Services has praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its steadfast dedication to border security and combating transnational organized crime through strategic partnerships and intelligence-driven operations.
The commendation follows the recovery of 12 luxury vehicles by the RCMP Liaison Office in Lagos, adding to 53 previously intercepted stolen Canadian vehicles, bringing the total recoveries in Nigeria to 65.
These achievements resulted from strong collaboration between the NCS, RCMP, Canadian Border Services Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Interpol Nigeria.
The recognition was formally presented during a ceremony at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, where High Commissioner Pasquale Salvaggio awarded a plaque to Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
High Commissioner Salvaggio commended Adeniyi for his leadership in dismantling international crime networks, citing the interception of high-end vehicles worth millions of dollars and seizures of synthetic cannabis (“loud”) smuggled from Canada into Nigeria through ports, airports, and illegal routes.
“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,” Salvaggio said.
In response, CGC Adeniyi thanked the Canadian government and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing global law enforcement 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,” Adeniyi stated.
He proposed formalizing the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding between the NCS and CBSA to institutionalize cooperation in enforcement, intelligence sharing, and training. Adeniyi stressed the importance of deeper engagement between customs administrations worldwide, noting that both Nigeria and Canada are active members of the World Customs Organization.
The Director General of RCMP International Special Services, Liam Price, also applauded the collaboration, stating that working with the Nigeria Customs Service has significantly enhanced Canada’s international enforcement efforts and remains vital to disrupting organized crime syndicates.