RED ALERT: US-Tagged Biohazard Used Cars Set To Flood Nigerian Ports

By Roland Ekama 

 

A Nigerian living abroad has ignited public outrage after exposing a shocking case of a salvage vehicle labeled a “biohazard” in the US being purchased by a local dealer and prepared for shipment to Nigeria.

The video, shared widely on social media, captures the moment at a US auction where the dealer snapped up the contaminated car, ignoring its hazardous status.In the footage, the whistleblower expresses horror:

“I was at an auction, and I had to stop and make this video because what I just saw is tragic. A dealer from Nigeria just bought a salvage car tagged as biohazard, and it’s already being prepped for shipping to Nigeria.

“Biohazard tags on vehicles typically indicate severe contamination from bodily fluids, chemicals, or infectious materials, rendering them unfit for use or resale in regulated markets like the US.Such cars, often from accidents involving fatalities, medical emergencies, or lab spills, undergo decontamination protocols that frequently fail to fully eliminate risks, according to US salvage experts.

Nigeria has long been a prime destination for “tokunbo” (second-hand) vehicles from North America and Europe, with imports totaling over 100,000 units annually, per recent Nigerian Ports Authority data.

However, critics argue that lax regulations turn the country into a global dumping ground for unsafe wrecks, with Customs Service clearing vehicles based on superficial inspections rather than detailed hazard checks.

The incident highlights a booming trade in salvage cars: US auctions like Copart and IAAI sell thousands of write-offs yearly, many ending up in Africa after minimal repairs.Nigerian importers exploit price gaps—biohazard cars fetch as low as $500 at auction versus $20,000 for clean used models—then resell them locally for 5-10 times the cost after cosmetic fixes.

Health experts warn of dire consequences: exposure to residual pathogens like bloodborne viruses (HIV, hepatitis) or mold from flooded vehicles could spark outbreaks, especially in humid Nigerian climates.

Past scandals include a 2022 raid in Lagos where authorities seized 50 flooded “hurricane cars” from US storms, prone to electrical fires and toxic mold, yet many slipped through ports.Nigeria’s Customs Service mandates VIN verification and roadworthiness tests, but insiders say bribes and understaffed scanners allow 20-30% of imports to evade scrutiny, per a 2024 Automotive Practitioners Association report.

The video’s creator calls for reform: “This car was tagged a biohazard in the USA and can never be used here again. That’s what a Nigerian dealer bought, and it will later be fixed and sold as a ‘clean’ American used car, endangering the life of whoever buys it.

“Public reaction has been swift, with #StopBiohazardCars trending on X (formerly Twitter), amassing over 50,000 views in 24 hours and demands for presidential intervention.Consumer rights group, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has acknowledged similar complaints, vowing spot checks at Apapa and Tin Can ports, Nigeria’s busiest vehicle entry points.

In response to rising concerns, the House of Representatives in 2025 passed a bill proposing stricter biohazard scans using US DMV databases, though it awaits Senate approval.Automotive analysts predict the trade persists due to economic pressures: Nigeria’s vehicle import duties generate N500 billion yearly, funding infrastructure while affordable cars meet surging demand amid local manufacturing shortfalls.Yet, the whistleblower laments: “It’s unfortunate that Nigeria is now becoming a dumping ground for these kinds of vehicles.

How can Nigeria Customs even clear cars like this?”Experts recommend buyers demand full salvage histories via services like Carfax Nigeria and push for mandatory third-party inspections to safeguard lives on the road.