RismadarVoice Reporters
July 28, 2026
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a breakthrough against cross-border vehicle trafficking with the recovery and repatriation of two vehicles stolen at gunpoint in Abuja and smuggled to Burkina Faso. At the same time, one suspect has been arrested and charged before a Burkinabe court.
The Force said the operation was executed by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, in collaboration with security and diplomatic authorities in Burkina Faso.
The recovered vehicles include a 2018 model Lexus SUV and a 2025 model Toyota Hilux, which were hijacked in separate armed robbery incidents in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the Police, the Lexus SUV was stolen on August 3, 2025, while the Toyota Hilux was snatched on February 20, 2026.
Following requests for assistance from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and the Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care Board, INTERPOL NCB Abuja initiated international investigations. It activated its operational channels with INTERPOL NCB Ouagadougou to track the stolen vehicles.
The coordinated operation, involving the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso and Burkinabe law enforcement authorities, led to the successful tracing, recovery and return of both vehicles to Nigeria.
Police authorities confirmed that the vehicles have been handed over to representatives of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and the FCT Primary Health Care Board.
The operation also led to the arrest of a suspect, identified as Issoufou Nagimou, who is currently standing trial before the High Court of Burkina Faso over his alleged involvement in the cross-border vehicle trafficking syndicate.
The Nigeria Police Force described the recovery as a significant success in its campaign against transnational organised crime, noting that it underscores the effectiveness of international policing and intelligence sharing through the INTERPOL network.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cross-border security cooperation and dismantling criminal networks engaged in vehicle theft, trafficking and other transnational crimes across Nigeria and the Sahel region.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the operation was carried out under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and reflects the Force’s determination to protect lives, property and Nigeria’s national security interests.
