The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced it recovered a Toyota Corolla suspected to have been stolen during a 2023 kidnapping incident in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Osondu Ohaeri, the agency’s spokesperson, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said the recovery demonstrated the effectiveness of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in combating vehicle-related crimes.

Mr Ohaeri said the recovery was made on April 4 at the NVIS desk office in Nnewi.

He said the recovery followed a detailed verification process initiated during an attempt to process proof-of-ownership documents on the NVIS portal.

He explained that suspicion was raised when the chassis number presented by the applicant showed inconsistencies during routine checks.

According to him, 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.

“Further checks on the NVIS portal established the true identity of the vehicle and its rightful owner, Mr Onyechi Dickson, the Eze of Awka.

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

Mr Ohaeri said the development prompted swift collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Area Command in Nnewi, leading to the involvement of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau (SCIB).

He added that a coordinated operation involving FRSC officials, the police, and the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) in Ojoto led to the arrest of the agent who facilitated the fraudulent documentation, alongside 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,” he said.
The CPEO said preliminary findings showed that the vehicle had undergone deliberate modifications to conceal its identity.

According to him, the car’s original red colour has been changed to grey, and an unassigned number plate, NZM135AQ, has been affixed to it.
“This confirms criminal intent and an attempt to circumvent the system,” he said.

In spite of the alterations, Mr Ohaeri said the robustness of the NVIS platform ensured that the vehicle’s true identity was uncovered.
He described the recovery as a testament to the critical role of NVIS in enhancing vehicle traceability, combating vehicle theft and strengthening national security.

Mr Ohaeri also underscored the corps’ commitment to due diligence, professionalism and inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding lives and property.
He noted that the recovery adds to the growing number of stolen vehicles traced and recovered through the NVIS platform in the year.
“The development marks another milestone in the Corps’ sustained crackdown on vehicle theft and fraudulent registration practices across the country,” he said.

Mr Ohaeri urged members of the public to ensure proper documentation and verification of vehicle particulars before acquisition and called for continued collaboration with law enforcement agencies to curb vehicle-related crimes.
(NAN)