By Gabriel Ameh
📍Abuja | Media360Impact Report
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against vehicle-related crimes with the recovery of a car stolen since 2023, using the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) platform.
The vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, was intercepted on April 4, 2026, at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi, Anambra State, during an attempt to process proof of ownership documents.
According to the Corps, the discovery was made after officials flagged irregularities in the chassis number submitted on the NVIS portal. Further checks revealed that the details provided did not match existing records in the database.
Acting promptly, the NVIS officer requested a physical inspection of the vehicle. This verification exposed the true identity of the car and linked it to its rightful owner, Mr. Onyechi Dickson Eze from Awka, Anambra State.
The owner later confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen from him on January 23, 2023, during a kidnapping incident in which he was abandoned while the attackers made away with his car.
Following the discovery, the FRSC alerted the Nigeria Police Force in Nnewi, prompting a swift joint operation involving the State Criminal Investigation Bureau (SCIB) and the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) in Ojoto.
The operation led to the arrest of the suspect attempting to process the vehicle documents, as well as the agent who facilitated the fraudulent transaction.
Authorities also discovered that the car had been deliberately altered to evade detection. Its original red color had been changed to gray, and it was fitted with an unassigned number plate, indicating clear intent to conceal its identity.
The recovered vehicle is currently in police custody as investigations continue.
The FRSC described the recovery as a testament to the effectiveness of the NVIS platform in tracking vehicles, preventing fraud, and strengthening national security.
The Corps urged Nigerians to always verify vehicle details before purchase and to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in tackling vehicle-related crimes.
