The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained efforts to support national security through the deployment of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), leading to the recovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Camry, nearly three years after it was reported missing.
The breakthrough was recorded on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, at the Nnewi Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) Office in Anambra State, where an FRSC NVIS Desk Officer, while processing a routine vehicle licence application, observed discrepancies during verification on the NVIS portal.
A further search revealed that the vehicle already had an existing registration profile in the FRSC database, prompting immediate investigation.
The registered owner, Mr. Ndem John Okori, a serving officer of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the 55 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Aba, was immediately contacted.
He confirmed that the Toyota Camry had been stolen from his residence at Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, on 23 June 2023, during a heavy downpour in the early hours of the morning. He disclosed that despite reporting the incident to the Police at the time, the vehicle had remained unrecovered.
Upon confirmation of the vehicle’s status, FRSC promptly alerted the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, Nnewi Area Command, who immediately deployed operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) to commence investigation.
In the course of the operation, the vehicle registration agent who presented the application documents was invited to provide useful information. Acting on intelligence gathered, the applicant who sought to obtain proof of ownership for the vehicle was subsequently arrested when he arrived to collect the processed documents.
The suspect thereafter led the Police team and FRSC officials to his residence, where the suspected stolen Toyota Camry was recovered at about 1706HRS on 4 August 2026.
The vehicle has since been taken into the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Area Command, Nnewi, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Further checks also revealed that the vehicle was bearing registration number FGG851AH, a number plate that does not exist in the FRSC National Vehicle Identification Scheme database, thereby exposing another attempt to conceal the identity of the vehicle through the use of an unauthorised registration number.
The recovered vehicle bears the following particulars:
Original Registration Number: AKD291CZ
Make: Toyota
Model: Camry
Vehicle Type: Saloon
Colour: Gold
Chassis Number: JT2BG22K0X0264403
Engine Number: 5S0793688
Reacting to the development, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni commended the vigilance, professionalism and intelligence displayed by the FRSC personnel whose diligence culminated in the recovery. He noted that the feat once again demonstrates the strategic importance of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme in combating vehicle theft, detecting fraudulent vehicle documentation, enhancing national security and supporting law enforcement agencies in tracking stolen vehicles across the country.
The Corps Marshal further urged Nigerians to always verify the status of vehicles before purchase and ensure that all vehicle registration and ownership transactions are carried out through legitimate channels.
He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and leveraging technology to rid the nation’s roads of criminal activities associated with stolen vehicles and fake registration records.
Signed:
Osondu Ohaeri, fnipr, fcai
Deputy Corps Commander
Corps Public Education Officer
Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters, Abuja
[email protected]
www.frsc.gov.ng
5 August, 2026.