The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla in Nnewi, Anambra State, highlighting the effectiveness of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in tackling vehicle-related crimes.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Corps’ Public Education Officer, Mr. Osondu Ohaeri, said the vehicle was recovered on April 4 at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi.
Ohaeri explained that the recovery followed a thorough verification process initiated when an applicant attempted to process proof-of-ownership documents through the NVIS portal.
Suspicion arose after the vehicle’s chassis number showed inconsistencies during routine checks.
“The NVIS officer subsequently carried out further verification, including a physical inspection of the vehicle’s chassis number.
This, however, revealed discrepancies linked to an already registered vehicle in the database,” he said.
Further investigations on the NVIS platform confirmed the car’s true owner as Mr. Onyechi Dickson, the Eze of Awka.
Contact with the owner revealed that the vehicle had been forcefully taken during a kidnapping incident on January 23, 2023, while he was abandoned and the car was removed.
The FRSC promptly collaborated with the Nigeria Police Force’s Area Command in Nnewi, leading to the involvement of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau.
A coordinated operation with FRSC officials, the police, and the Motor Licensing Authority in Ojoto resulted in the arrest of both the agent who facilitated the fraudulent documentation and the applicant.
“The vehicle was successfully recovered on April 4 at about 16:54 hours and is currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau of the police in Nnewi for further investigation,” Ohaeri said.
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Preliminary findings indicated that the vehicle had been deliberately altered to hide its identity.
“The original red colour of the car has been changed to grey, while an unassigned number plate, NZM135AQ, was affixed to it. This confirms criminal intent and an attempt to circumvent the system,” he noted.
Despite these modifications, the robustness of the NVIS platform enabled authorities to uncover the car’s true identity.
Ohaeri described the recovery as evidence of NVIS’s vital role in improving vehicle traceability, combating theft, and strengthening national security.
He also emphasised the FRSC’s commitment to professionalism, due diligence, and inter-agency collaboration in protecting lives and property.
“The development marks another milestone in the Corps’ sustained crackdown on vehicle theft and fraudulent registration practices across the country,” Ohaeri said, noting that the recovery adds to a growing number of stolen vehicles traced through the NVIS platform this year.
Ohaeri urged members of the public to verify vehicle documentation before acquisition and to continue working with law enforcement agencies to help curb vehicle-related crimes.