The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has recorded a breakthrough in vehicle identification and recovery with the discovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Camry through the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Anambra FRSC Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Margaret Onabe, in a Press Release on behalf of the Command said the vehicle was discovered on 4 August 2026 by the NVIS Desk Officer at the Driver’s Licence Centre, Nnewi, during the processing of vehicle registration documents.
The investigation began on 31st July 2026, when a processed vehicle licence was presented for upload to the NVIS portal. During the verification process, it was discovered that the vehicle had already been profiled on the FRSC NVIS database with an existing registered owner.
Upon contacting the registered owner, Mr. Ndem John Okori, a serving police officer attached to 55 Squadron Police Mobile Force, Aba, confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen on 23 June 2023 from Umuajiji Isi-Eke Village, Ibeku Umuahia, Abia State.
According to the owner, the vehicle was quietly driven out of his compound at about midnight during heavy downpour, and despite reporting the incident to the relevant police authorities in Umuahia, all efforts to recover the vehicle had been unsuccessful.
Following this confirmation, the FRSC NVIS Desk Officer promptly notified the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, Nnewi Area Command, who directed the State Investigation Bureau (SIB) to commence investigation.
The Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) Office was advised to invite the agent who submitted the vehicle documents.
The agent was invited to the Area Command and made a statement. Subsequently, the SIB team, accompanied by the FRSC NVIS officer, returned to the MLA office, where the applicant requested proof of ownership and was invited.
The applicant appeared and was immediately arrested. During interrogation, he led investigators to his residence, where the suspected stolen vehicle was parked. The vehicle was successfully recovered at 17:06 hours on 4 August 2026.
Investigations further revealed that the vehicle was bearing a different registration number, FGG851AH, which is not assigned in the FRSC NVIS database, thereby strengthening suspicion that the vehicle may have been re-registered or cloned to conceal its identity.
The recovered vehicle has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Nnewi, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Reacting to the report, the FRSC Anambra State Sector Commander Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno Commended the vigilance and professionalism of its NVIS personnel, whose diligence in verifying vehicle records led to the recovery of a vehicle that had remained missing for over three years.
The Command reiterated the importance of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) as a critical tool in combating vehicle theft, identity cloning, and related crimes. Members of the public are encouraged to ensure that all vehicle registration and ownership documentation is properly verified through the FRSC NVIS platform.
In case of any road emergency, call the FRSC toll-free number on 122.
