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ABAKALIKI — In a remarkable display of technological efficiency and inter-agency collaboration, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recovered a Toyota Camry in Ebonyi State, more than a decade after it was reported stolen.
The recovery, described as a major breakthrough in the fight against vehicle-related crimes, was announced on Saturday, March 28, 2026, by the acting Corps Public Education Officer (ACPEO), Felicia Kalu. The successful operation highlights the critical role of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in safeguarding property and enhancing national security.
The journey to recovering the vehicle began on Tuesday during a routine verification exercise at the NVIS Desk Office in Abakaliki. An official from the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) of the Board of Internal Revenue presented documents for a new vehicle registration, triggering standard security protocols.
Upon digital scrutiny, the NVIS Desk Officer discovered significant discrepancies in the vehicle's history. Further investigation revealed that the car was originally registered to a Mr. Adeka Akoji. When contacted by the FRSC, Mr. Akoji confirmed the vehicle had been snatched from him in Benue State on August 13, 2015.
Following the confirmation, the FRSC immediately alerted the Nigeria Police Force. A swift, coordinated operation involving the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Abakaliki led to the physical recovery of the vehicle on Friday, March 27, 2026, at approximately 1:50 p.m.
Investigators discovered that the suspects had attempted to permanently "erase" the car's history. The original registration number, MKD659AG, had been swapped for a new plate, NKE500AE, in a calculated bid to conceal its identity and bypass manual checks.
Reacting to the development, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, lauded the professionalism of the officers involved. He emphasized that the recovery serves as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of the NVIS platform.
"The National Vehicle Identification Scheme remains a critical tool for tracking, verifying, and recovering stolen vehicles nationwide," Mohammed stated. "This recovery proves that no matter how long a vehicle has been missing, our digital footprint can eventually catch up with the perpetrators."
The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to using intelligence-driven strategies to rid Nigerian roads of improperly documented and stolen vehicles.
In light of this 11-year-old recovery, the FRSC has issued a strong advisory to the public. Motorists and prospective car buyers are urged to:
Verify Before Purchase: Always use the NVIS platform to check the status of a vehicle before exchange of funds. Ensure Proper Documentation: Avoid "shortcut" registrations that bypass official verification desks. Report Promptly: Ensure that stolen vehicles are officially logged in the national database to enable future recovery.