Reports indicate that the recovered cars—including Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and other high-end models—were officially transferred to Canadian authorities during a handover ceremony at the port on Monday, May 4, 2026.

The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Nasser Salihou, received the vehicles on behalf of his government from the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka.

In a statement released on Sunday, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the operation followed months of intelligence sharing between Nigerian authorities and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

According to the statement, Canadian investigators had traced several stolen luxury vehicles that were illegally shipped out of Canada through international trafficking networks before eventually arriving in Nigeria.

Internal Customs records dated May 5, 2026, listed the intercepted vehicles as including a 2019 Lexus RX350, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, 2023 Range Rover, 2019 Lamborghini Huracán, 2021 Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible, 2018 Lamborghini Aventador, and a 2026 Toyota Tundra.

The statement added that the recovery reflects growing collaboration between Nigeria and Canada in tackling transnational vehicle theft and smuggling operations.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Comptroller Frank Onyeka revealed that one of the vehicles, a Toyota Tacoma, was discovered hidden inside a container alongside other automobiles before it was intercepted by Customs officers.

He explained that the container had not yet left Customs control when intelligence from Canadian authorities prompted immediate enforcement action.

According to him, the vehicle was placed under strict surveillance until its status was confirmed through international verification channels.

Onyeka noted that Customs officials deliberately delayed the release of the shipment to ensure it was handed directly to Canadian authorities for proper identification and recovery.

He described the operation as evidence of Nigeria Customs’ strengthened capacity to detect and disrupt international organised crime involving stolen assets.

He further stated that criminal networks are increasingly using global shipping routes to move stolen luxury vehicles under the guise of legitimate cargo.

The Customs Service added that the operation highlights enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and Canada in intelligence sharing, cargo monitoring, and maritime enforcement aimed at curbing cross-border criminal activities.

Tin Can Island Port, one of Nigeria’s busiest import hubs, continues to play a central role in vehicle and container traffic entering the country.

Reports indicate that the assault began late on Saturday, May 9, 2026, and continued into the early hours of Sunday, May 10, in the town of Goniri.

The Media Information Officer of Headquarters JTF North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, the attackers advanced from the Mandunari axis around midnight but were quickly detected by troops on active duty.

Uba stated that the troops launched a coordinated counter-operation, successfully trapping the terrorists in a deadly ambush zone.

He confirmed that the camp was not breached and no military equipment was lost during the attack.

He added that air support from the OPHK Air Component and Nigerian Army Aviation played a key role in reinforcing ground troops and destroying fleeing insurgents in a joint air-land operation.

Following the engagement, intelligence-led exploitation of the area reportedly revealed blood trails, body parts, and other evidence indicating heavy casualties among the terrorists.

Military sources also confirmed the recovery of weapons and equipment, including a General Purpose Machine Gun, two PKT guns, five AK-47 rifles, and several rounds of ammunition.

Some injured soldiers are currently receiving medical treatment and are said to be in stable condition.

Troops have since continued follow-up operations in the area to track fleeing terrorists and consolidate gains from the encounter.

The military described the failed attack as further evidence of its growing operational superiority and the inability of terrorist groups to breach fortified positions in the theatre of operations.

This incident occurred less than 48 hours after troops reportedly repelled another ISWAP attack on the 27 Brigade Headquarters in Buni Gari, also in Yobe State, during which several terrorists were neutralised.

In a related operation, troops intercepted suspected terrorist logistics supplies along the Banki–Kumshe axis in Borno State during an ambush on May 8, 2026.

The interception led to the seizure of several items, including bicycles, fuel containers, medical supplies, food items, and communication accessories believed to be intended for insurgent use.

Military authorities said no troop casualties were recorded in the logistics interception and confirmed that surveillance and intelligence operations are ongoing to disrupt terrorist supply routes across the region.