FRSC Busts Stolen Car Ring, Recovers 3-Year-Old Vehicle in Nnewi

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against vehicle theft with the recovery of a car stolen since 2023, uncovered through its advanced National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) platform in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The operation, which took place on April 4, 2026, at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi, led to the discovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla during a routine verification process. The red flag was raised when irregularities were detected in the chassis number submitted for proof of ownership documentation on the NVIS portal.

Acting swiftly, the NVIS Officer initiated a deeper verification process, including a physical inspection of the vehicle. The findings exposed a mismatch with an already registered vehicle in the national database, confirming suspicions of fraud.

Further checks revealed the true identity of the vehicle, belonging to Mr. Onyechi Dickson Eze of Awka, who confirmed that the car had been forcefully taken from him during a kidnapping incident on January 23, 2023.

In a coordinated response, the Nigeria Police Force Area Command in Nnewi and the State Criminal Investigation Bureau (SCIB) swung into action. The suspect attempting to process the fraudulent documents, along with the agent involved, was promptly arrested with the support of the Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) Ojoto.

Authorities disclosed that the vehicle had been deliberately altered to evade detection. Its original red colour had been changed to gray, and it was fitted with an unassigned number plate, indicating a calculated attempt to bypass the system.

Despite these modifications, the integrity and efficiency of the NVIS platform ensured the vehicle was successfully traced and recovered. It is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

The FRSC described the recovery as a significant milestone, underscoring the effectiveness of NVIS in combating vehicle-related crimes and strengthening national security.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Corps urged Nigerians to verify vehicle records thoroughly before purchase and to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in tackling criminal activities.

The latest recovery adds to a growing list of stolen vehicles traced through NVIS in 2026, signaling a sustained crackdown on fraud and theft within Nigeria’s vehicle registration system.