By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Camry after thwarting an alleged attempt to fraudulently re-register the vehicle in Nnewi using questionable documents.
The recovery was made through the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), following the vigilance of an FRSC NVIS Desk Officer at the Driver’s Licence Centre in Nnewi during a routine verification of vehicle registration records.
According to the Sector Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, the incident began on July 31, 2026, when a processed vehicle licence was presented for upload to the NVIS portal. During the verification process, the officer discovered that the vehicle had already been profiled in the FRSC database under an existing registered owner.
Further investigation revealed that the registered owner, Mr. Ndem John Okori, a serving police officer attached to the 55 Squadron Police Mobile Force in Aba, reported that the vehicle had been stolen from his residence in Umuajiji Isi-Eke Village, Ibeku Umuahia, Abia State, on June 23, 2023.
Okori explained that the vehicle disappeared from his compound during a heavy rainfall around midnight. Although the theft was reported to the police in Umuahia, efforts to recover the vehicle were unsuccessful until now.
Following the confirmation, the FRSC officer alerted the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force in Nnewi, who directed the State Investigation Bureau (SIB) to launch an investigation.
The Motor Licensing Authority subsequently invited the agent who processed the vehicle documents for questioning, while investigators also summoned the individual claiming ownership of the vehicle. The suspect was immediately arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly led investigators to his residence, where the Toyota Camry was recovered on August 4, 2026.
Investigators also discovered that the vehicle bore the registration number FGG851AH, which does not exist in the FRSC NVIS database, raising suspicion that the vehicle’s identity had been cloned or fraudulently altered.
The recovered vehicle has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Area Command in Nnewi for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the officers involved, the Anambra State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, said the successful recovery highlights the effectiveness of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme in combating vehicle theft, identity cloning and other related crimes.
She urged motorists to ensure that all vehicle registration and ownership documents are properly verified through the FRSC NVIS platform and reminded members of the public to use the FRSC toll-free emergency number, 122, in the event of road emergencies.
