A Toyota Highlander allegedly stolen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, about five years after it disappeared, has been recovered by the Gombe State Police Command following a routine vehicle verification exercise.
Penpushing reports that Gombe State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, in a statement on Saturday said the breakthrough was recorded on June 8, 2026,
The statement added that this happened when operatives of the State Intelligence Department, working in collaboration with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service licence office, uncovered discrepancies during a vehicle data verification and upload exercise.
Penpushing further reports that the statement stated that the vehicle, a Toyota Highlander with registration number FH823PHC, engine number 1MZ-11433787 and chassis number JTEGF21AX30073604, was suspected to have been stolen.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle belongs to Mrs Cecilia A. Duru of Akwaka Lane, Rumuodumaya, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and was stolen on September 17, 2021,” Abdullahi said
Penpushing also reports that he explained that investigations traced the movement of the vehicle beyond Nigeria’s borders in 2023 adding that it was subsequently brought back into Nigeria
“Further investigation traced the movement of the vehicle to the Niger Republic in 2023. It was subsequently brought back into Nigeria through Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State on October 17, 2025, after which it was reportedly sold in Kaduna State before eventually being brought to Gombe State for re-registration,” he said.
Penpushing reports that Abdullahi pointed out that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest all those connected with the alleged theft and movement of the vehicle across states and international borders.
“Investigation is ongoing, as efforts are being intensified to identify and apprehend those involved. Further developments will be communicated in due course,” he stated.
Penpushing further reports that the command reassured residents of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while urging prospective vehicle buyers to verify ownership documents and vehicle records through the relevant authorities before completing any transaction.
“The Command assures members of the public of its commitment to protecting lives and property and urges citizens to exercise due diligence when purchasing vehicles by verifying ownership documents and vehicle records through the appropriate authorities,” the statement added.
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