By Chinedum Treasure
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Camry in Nnewi through its National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), thwarting an alleged attempt to re-register the vehicle with questionable documentation.
The breakthrough followed the vigilance of the FRSC NVIS Desk Officer at the Driver’s Licence Centre, Nnewi, during the processing of vehicle registration documents.
According to the Sector Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, the investigation began on July 31, 2026, when a processed vehicle licence was presented for upload to the NVIS portal.
During routine verification, the officer discovered that the vehicle had already been profiled on the FRSC NVIS database with an existing registered owner.
She said the registered owner, Mr. Ndem John Okori, a serving police officer attached to the 55 Squadron Police Mobile Force, Aba, confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen on June 23, 2023, from his residence at Umuajiji Isi-Eke Village, Ibeku Umuahia, Abia State.
According to the owner, the vehicle was quietly driven out of his compound around midnight during a heavy downpour. Despite reporting the theft to the police in Umuahia, all efforts to recover it had proved unsuccessful.
Following the confirmation, the FRSC NVIS Desk Officer alerted the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, Nnewi Area Command, who directed the State Investigation Bureau (SIB) to commence an investigation.
The Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) subsequently invited the agent who submitted the vehicle documents for questioning. Investigators later invited the applicant claiming ownership, who was immediately arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly led investigators to his residence, where the Toyota Camry was recovered at about 5:06 p.m. on August 4, 2026.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle bore a registration number, FGG851AH, which is not assigned in the FRSC NVIS database, raising strong suspicion that the vehicle had been illegally re-registered or cloned to conceal its true identity.
The recovered vehicle has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Nnewi, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the professionalism of the NVIS personnel, the Anambra State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, said the successful recovery underscores the effectiveness of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme in combating vehicle theft, identity cloning and related crimes.
She urged members of the public to ensure that all vehicle registration and ownership documents are properly verified through the FRSC NVIS platform.
The Command also reminded road users that in the event of any road emergency, they should call the FRSC toll-free emergency number, 122.
Tags: FRSC, Anambra, Nnewi, Vehicle Theft, Police
