FRSC recover car stolen 11 years ago during routine verification exercise

Sunday, March 29, 2026 - The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has recovered a vehicle reported stolen since 2015, in Ebonyi State, marking a major breakthrough in its efforts to tackle vehicle-related crimes across the country.

According to the statement by the FRSC, the recovery followed a routine verification exercise carried out on March 24, 2026, at the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) Desk Office in the state.

According to the Corps, the process began when an official of the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) under the Board of Internal Revenue presented documents for vehicle registration.

As part of standard procedure, the NVIS Desk Officer conducted a detailed check on the vehicle, during which irregularities were discovered in its records.

Further findings showed that the car had originally been registered to one Mr. Adeka Emmanuel Akoji, who was immediately contacted. He confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen from him in Benue State on August 13, 2015.

Following the discovery, the FRSC alerted the Nigeria Police, prompting a joint operation.

On March 27, 2026, at about 1:50 p.m., operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Abakaliki successfully recovered the vehicle.

The car, a Toyota Camry saloon, was found bearing its old registration number MKD659AG but had been assigned a new plate number, NKE500AE, suggesting an attempt to hide its original identity.

The Corps described the recovery as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of its National Vehicle Identification Scheme in protecting vehicle ownership and strengthening national security.

Reacting to the development, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, praised the officers involved for their dedication and professionalism, as well as the collaboration with the Nigeria Police.

“The Corps will continue to leverage technology and intelligence-driven strategies to rid the nation’s roads of stolen and improperly documented vehicles,” he said.

The FRSC also advised members of the public, especially vehicle buyers and other stakeholders, to always verify documents through the NVIS platform before purchasing or registering any vehicle.

The Corps added that it would sustain its monitoring and enforcement efforts nationwide to curb vehicle theft and related offences.