ABUJA – The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recovered 73 stolen vehicles across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, between January and December 2024.
This was disclosed by the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Mr Mohammed, the recoveries were achieved through the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) portal, a critical tool in tracking stolen vehicles and combating criminal activities.
He said the operation dealt a significant blow to car thieves and other criminal elements, adding that the unprecedented recovery underscores FRSC’s commitment to national security and road safety.
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to FRSC’s relentless commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening intelligence gathering, and ensuring the safety of lives and property for road users,” Mr Mohammed said.
The recovered vehicles include four Toyota Highlanders, one Toyota Lexus, 21 Toyota Corollas, 17 Toyota Camrys, six Toyota Siennas, six Lexus 350s, and three Lexus ES350s. Others include one Toyota Hilux, one Toyota RAV4, one Toyota Celica, one Toyota Venza, one Suzuki Bus, one Honda Pilot, one Honda Ace, two Honda Accords, one Daihatsu, one Mercedes-Benz car, one MAN Truck, one Pontiac Vibe, and two Qlink motorcycles.
The recovery process involved coordinated intelligence-driven operations conducted by the FRSC in collaboration with other security agencies. These operations were carried out at the point of registration for the suspected stolen vehicles.
Mr Mohammed praised the bravery and professionalism of FRSC officers and men involved in the operations. He reaffirmed the corps’ dedication to ridding Nigeria of criminal elements through proactive measures and swift responses, which he said would save lives and protect the economic interests of citizens.
He also urged vehicle owners to provide accurate and complete information during the registration of their vehicles, emphasising that such data is vital for intelligence gathering and timely recovery of stolen vehicles.
“The corps will not relent in its efforts to make Nigerian roads safe and secure for all users. We also urge members of the public to continue supporting the corps in its quest for safer roads in Nigeria,” Mr Mohammed added.
The FRSC further reassured Nigerians of its commitment to advancing road safety management and ensuring a secure motoring environment.