Operatives of the Gombe State Police Command have successfully recovered a Toyota Highlander that was reported stolen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, five years ago.
The recovery occurred on June 8, 2026, during a routine operation.
According to the Gombe Police Command Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, officials from the State Intelligence Department (SID) were working in synergy with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service’s licensing office.
While conducting standard vehicle data verification and uploads, the joint team flagged a Toyota Highlander (Registration Number: FH823PHC) as suspicious.
Preliminary investigations identified the owner of the vehicle as Cecilia A. Duru, a resident of Akwaka Lane, Rumuodumaya, Port Harcourt.
The vehicle had been reported stolen on September 17, 2021. Following the recovery, detectives traced the vehicle’s extensive trail across the country and beyond.
Records indicate the SUV was moved into the Niger Republic in 2023. It later returned to Nigeria on October 17, 2025, entering through the Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Authorities further discovered that the vehicle was sold in Kaduna State later that year before eventually being transported to Gombe State for the purpose of re-registration.
Ongoing Efforts
The Gombe State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation to track down the individuals responsible for the theft and the subsequent illegal trafficking of the vehicle.
“Investigation is ongoing, as efforts are being intensified to identify and apprehend those involved,” DSP Abdullahi stated in a press release issued on June 20, 2026.
The Command utilized the recovery as an opportunity to remind the public to exercise high levels of caution when purchasing vehicles. Citizens are strongly urged to perform due diligence by verifying ownership documents and official vehicle records through the appropriate authorities before finalising any transactions.
