FRSC Recovers Suspected Stolen Vehicle, Arrests Two in Anambra

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Sector Command, has recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla and arrested two suspects following a routine vehicle documentation and verification exercise in Awka.

The vehicle was intercepted at the Anambra National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) Desk Office after officials detected irregularities while processing its ownership documents.

According to the Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Margaret Onabe, the discovery was made on July 28 when a Road Safety officer attached to the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) attempted to upload the vehicle’s details to the NVIS portal.

She said officials observed discrepancies in the chassis number, prompting further verification. Preliminary findings revealed that the chassis number had been tampered with, with the digit “1” altered to the letter “I.”

A subsequent check on the NVIS database showed that the vehicle already had an existing ownership record.

Further investigation indicated that the vehicle was allegedly stolen on October 29, 2022, after the wife of the registered owner was abducted with it before being abandoned by her captors.

The individual who presented the vehicle for documentation, identified as Onyejiaka Lawrence Onyebuchi, was later invited for what was described as a physical verification exercise using an OBD II diagnostic scanner. He was subsequently arrested by officers from the Central Police Station in Awka.

The registered owner of the vehicle, Bro. Arinze Obasi, was contacted and presented documents confirming his ownership. Police also arrested the vehicle dealer alleged to have sold the car to the suspect.

The recovered vehicle was initially secured at the FRSC Anambra Sector Command before being handed over to the police. Both suspects are currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka, where investigations and possible prosecution are ongoing.

Reacting to the development, the Anambra Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing used vehicles by verifying ownership documents through the appropriate authorities.

She also encouraged residents to report suspicious vehicle transactions or suspected vehicle thefts to security agencies, reaffirming the FRSC’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to combat vehicle-related crimes and prevent abuse of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme.