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The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has recovered a stolen vehicle in Nnewi, Anambra State, three years after it was snatched during a kidnapping incident.
The FRSC says the development highlighted the effectiveness of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme, NVIS.
According to the statement by the agency, the recovery, which took place on April 4, 2026, at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi, followed a careful verification process during an attempt to process proof of ownership documents on the NVIS portal.
According to the Corps, suspicion was raised when the chassis number submitted for documentation did not match existing records, prompting further checks by the NVIS Officer. A deeper review revealed inconsistencies linked to a vehicle already registered in the system.
Acting in line with standard procedures, the officer requested a physical inspection of the chassis number on the vehicle. The verification exposed the real identity of the car and its rightful owner, Mr. Onyechi Dickson Eze of Awka, Anambra State.
Further contact with the owner confirmed that the vehicle had been forcefully taken from him during a kidnapping incident on January 23, 2023, after which he was abandoned while the car was driven away.
Following the discovery, the Nigeria Police Force Area Command in Nnewi was alerted, leading to the involvement of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau, SCIB. In a coordinated effort involving FRSC officials, the police, and the Motor Licensing Authority, MLA, in Ojoto, both the agent who processed the fraudulent documents and the applicant were arrested.
“The vehicle was successfully recovered on 4 April, 2026, at about 1654HRS, and is currently in the custody of the SBI Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Nnewi, for further investigation.
“Preliminary findings revealed that the vehicle had undergone deliberate modifications in a bid to conceal its identity. Notably, the original red colour had been altered to gray, while an unassigned number plate (NZM135AQ) was affixed to the vehicle—further confirming criminal intent and attempted system circumvention,” the statement noted.
Despite these modifications, the FRSC said the strength of the NVIS platform made it possible to trace and identify the vehicle without error.
The Corps described the recovery as a clear example of the importance of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme in tracking vehicles, fighting vehicle-related crimes, and supporting national security.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, due diligence, and collaboration with relevant agencies in protecting lives and property.
The FRSC noted that the recovery adds to the number of stolen vehicles traced through the NVIS platform in 2026, describing it as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle vehicle theft and fraudulent registration across the country.
The Corps advised members of the public to always verify vehicle documents properly before purchase and encouraged continued cooperation with law enforcement agencies to combat vehicle-related crimes.
