FRSC Recovers Vehicle Stolen in 2023 Through NVIS, Arrests Suspects in Anambra
The Federal Road Safety Corps has recovered a vehicle stolen during a kidnapping incident in 2023, underscoring the effectiveness of its National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in combating automobile-related crimes.
The recovered vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, was intercepted on April 4, 2026, at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi, Anambra State, during a routine process to validate ownership documents on the digital platform.
According to the Corps, suspicion was raised when the chassis number submitted for verification showed inconsistencies with an already registered vehicle in the NVIS database. This prompted further scrutiny by the NVIS officer, including a physical inspection of the vehicle’s chassis number.
The detailed verification revealed the true identity of the car and traced ownership to Mr. Onyechi Dickson Eze, a resident of Awka, Anambra State. Upon contact, Eze confirmed that the vehicle had been forcefully taken from him during a kidnapping incident on January 23, 2023.
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Following the discovery, the FRSC alerted the Nigeria Police Force Area Command in Nnewi, leading to the involvement of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau. A coordinated operation involving the police, FRSC officials, and the Motor Licensing Authority in Ojoto resulted in the arrest of the suspect who applied for the documentation, as well as the agent who facilitated the process.
The vehicle was subsequently recovered the same day and is currently in the custody of the police for further investigation.
Preliminary findings indicate that the vehicle had been deliberately altered to evade detection. Its original red colour was changed to grey, and it was fitted with an unassigned number plate, suggesting an attempt to conceal its identity and bypass regulatory systems.
The FRSC described the recovery as a testament to the robustness of the NVIS platform in ensuring vehicle traceability and strengthening national security. The Corps also noted that the case adds to a growing number of stolen vehicles successfully tracked and recovered through the system in 2026.
Reaffirming its commitment to curbing vehicle theft and fraudulent registration, the Corps urged members of the public to verify vehicle details thoroughly before purchase and to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in tackling crime.
By PRNigeria
