The Federal Road Safety Corps has recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla in Nnewi, Anambra, demonstrating the effectiveness of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme in combating vehicle-related crimes.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Osondu Ohaeri, said the recovery was made on April 4 at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Ohaeri 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 applicant’s chassis number 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 Jan. 23, 2023, after which he was abandoned while the car was taken away,” he said.
Ohaeri said the development prompted swift collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force Area Command in Nnewi, leading to the State Criminal Investigation Bureau becoming involved.
He added that a coordinated operation involving FRSC officials, the police, and the Motor Licensing Authority in Ojoto led to the arrest of the agent who facilitated the fraudulent documentation, alongside the applicant.
