A suspected stolen Toyota Corolla in Nnewi, Anambra has been recovered by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps. This feat was largely achieved by the deployment of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme.
Mr Osondu Ohaeri, the Corps Public Education Officer explained in a an official statement released in Abuja on Monday that the vehicle was recovered at the NVIS Desk Office in Nnewi on April 4.
According to Ohaeri, the recovery was achieved following a comprehensive verification process that was initiated during an attempt to process proof-of-ownership documents on the NVIS portal.
He explained that suspicion was raised when the applicant’s chassis number showed inconsistencies during routine checks.
According to him, the NVIS officer subsequently carried out further verification, including a physical inspection of the vehicle’s chassis number.
“This, however, revealed discrepancies linked to an already registered vehicle in the database.
“Further checks on the NVIS portal established the true identity of the vehicle and its rightful owner, Mr Onyechi Dickson, the Eze of Awka.
“Contact with the owner confirmed that the vehicle had been forcefully taken from him during a kidnapping incident on Jan. 23, 2023, after which he was abandoned while the car was taken away.
“The vehicle was successfully recovered on April 4 at about 16:54 hours. and is currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau of the police in Nnewi for further investigation.