The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has thwarted a vehicle fraud attempt at the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) Office, RS3.2 Gombe Sector Command, leading to the recovery of a suspected stolen vehicle during a routine number plate revalidation process.
The incident, which occurred on 16 April 2026, was uncovered when an applicant presented documents for plate conversion.
This was contained in a statement by Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC Headquarters.
It reads "A meticulous verification process exposed discrepancies in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) across submitted records, prompting immediate physical inspection that confirmed a mismatch with the chassis engraving.
"Leveraging the NVIS platform, FRSC officials traced and contacted the registered owner, Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru, who confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen since 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
"She subsequently provided valid proof of ownership, establishing the authenticity of her claim.
"The individual in possession of the vehicle claimed to have acquired it through a third party, further deepening suspicion. Acting swiftly on intelligence, FRSC coordinated necessary interventions, ensuring the prompt recovery of the vehicle and preventing its possible disappearance."
The operation, according to the statement, highlighted the Corps’ growing intelligence capacity and the effectiveness of the NVIS in combating vehicle-related crimes.
"On this note, FRSC urges the public to exercise due diligence in vehicle transactions and to utilise official verification platforms to avoid falling victim to fraud." it stated