Stolen for Three Years: FRSC’s NVIS Uncovers Suspected Stolen Toyota Camry in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

A Toyota Camry reported stolen more than three years ago has been recovered in Nnewi, Anambra State, after officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) flagged discrepancies during a routine verification on the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS).

The breakthrough, which underscores the growing importance of digital vehicle verification, occurred on August 4, 2026, at the Driver’s Licence Centre in Nnewi, where an NVIS Desk Officer detected irregularities while processing vehicle registration documents.

According to the FRSC Anambra State Sector Command, the investigation began on July 31, 2026, after a processed vehicle licence was presented for upload to the NVIS portal. During verification, officers discovered that the vehicle had already been profiled in the FRSC database under a different registered owner.

Sector Public Education Officer, Margaret Onabe, said the registered owner, Mr. Ndem John Okori, a serving police officer attached to the 55 Squadron Police Mobile Force in Aba, was immediately contacted.

“The owner confirmed that the vehicle was stolen on June 23, 2023, from his residence at Umuajiji Isi-Eke Village, Ibeku Umuahia, Abia State. Despite reporting the incident to the police, all efforts to recover it had proved unsuccessful,” Onabe said.

She explained that following the confirmation, the FRSC promptly alerted the Nigeria Police Force Area Command in Nnewi, which directed its State Investigation Bureau (SIB) to commence an investigation.

The Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) subsequently invited the agent who submitted the vehicle documents for questioning. Investigators later requested the applicant to provide proof of ownership.

“The applicant appeared and was immediately arrested. During interrogation, he led investigators to his residence, where the suspected stolen vehicle was found parked and successfully recovered at about 5:06 p.m. on August 4, 2026,” the statement added.

Investigators also discovered that the vehicle was bearing registration number FGG851AH, a number that does not exist in the FRSC NVIS database, raising strong suspicions that the car had been cloned or fraudulently re-registered to conceal its identity.

The recovered vehicle has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Nnewi, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Commending the operation, FRSC Anambra State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, praised the professionalism of the NVIS personnel whose vigilance led to the recovery of a vehicle that had remained missing for over three years.

“This recovery highlights the effectiveness of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme in combating vehicle theft, identity cloning and other related crimes. We encourage all vehicle owners to ensure their registration and ownership records are properly verified through the NVIS platform,” she said.

The command also reminded members of the public to report road emergencies through the FRSC toll-free emergency number, 122.