STOLEN IN 2023, RECOVERED IN 2026: FRSC CRACKS CASE WITH NVIS IN NNEWI

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has once again demonstrated its operational efficiency and technological capability with the recovery of a suspected stolen vehicle—a Toyota Corolla—at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi on April 4, 2026.

The breakthrough followed a meticulous verification process triggered during an attempt to process proof of ownership documents on the NVIS portal. The chassis number presented initially raised suspicion, prompting further scrutiny by the NVIS Officer. Subsequent checks revealed discrepancies linked to an already registered vehicle in the system.

Acting on professional instinct and strict adherence to standard procedures, the officer requested a physical inspection of the chassis number on the vehicle. A detailed examination on the NVIS platform ultimately uncovered the vehicle’s true identity and its rightful owner, Mr. Onyechi Dickson Eze of Awka, Anambra State.

Contact with the owner confirmed that the vehicle had been forcefully taken from him during a kidnapping incident on January 23, 2023, after he was abandoned and the car driven away.

In a swift inter-agency response, the Nigeria Police Force Area Command in Nnewi was alerted, leading to the involvement of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau (SCIB). Through a coordinated operation involving FRSC officials, the Police, and the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) in Ojoto, the suspect who facilitated the fraudulent documentation, alongside the applicant, was apprehended.

The vehicle was successfully recovered at about 16:54hrs on April 4, 2026, and is currently in the custody of the SCIB Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Nnewi, for further investigation.

Preliminary findings indicate that the vehicle had been deliberately altered to conceal its identity. Its original red colour had been changed to grey, while an unassigned number plate (NZM135AQ) was affixed—clear evidence of criminal intent and attempts to bypass regulatory systems. Despite these modifications, the integrity of the NVIS platform ensured accurate identification without compromise.

This recovery underscores the vital role of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in enhancing vehicle traceability, combating auto-related crimes, and strengthening national security.

It also highlights the Corps’ unwavering commitment to diligence, professionalism, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders in safeguarding lives and property.

Notably, this case adds to the growing number of stolen vehicles successfully traced and recovered by the Corps through the NVIS platform in 2026 alone, marking another milestone in FRSC’s sustained crackdown on vehicle theft and fraudulent registration nationwide.

The Corps reiterates its call on members of the public to always verify vehicle documents thoroughly before purchase and to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in the fight against vehicle-related crimes.