Nearly three years after it was taken, a Toyota Camry belonging to a police officer has been retrieved by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State. The discovery occurred on August 4, 2026, when an FRSC official at the Nnewi Motor Licensing Authority noticed discrepancies while processing a vehicle registration application.
Upon checking the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) database, the official found a pre-existing profile for the car. The FRSC contacted the owner, Ndem John Okori, a police officer with the 55 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Aba. He confirmed the vehicle had been stolen from his Ibeku, Umuahia home during a storm on June 23, 2023.
The Nnewi Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force was notified and launched an investigation. Police officers eventually apprehended the individual who had submitted the registration application. The suspect guided authorities to his residence, where the car was seized at 5:06 p.m. on August 4, 2026. The vehicle, originally registered as AKD291CZ, had been fitted with an unauthorized plate, FGG851AH, to hide its history.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed praised the staff for their diligence, noting that the incident highlights the effectiveness of the NVIS in curbing car theft. The recovered sedan has been transferred to the police for further inquiry and potential legal action. The FRSC continues to advocate for the use of official channels when buying vehicles to avoid fraudulent documentation.
