Police leverage technology to recover stolen vehicles in Nigeria

Two stolen vehicles have been recovered in Kano State thanks to the Nigeria Police Force’s Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) platform. The breakthrough highlights the platform’s potential to transform vehicle recovery efforts across the country.

The e-CMR platform played a pivotal role in tracking and recovering the stolen vehicles, Kano Police Command spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said in a statement. Commissioner of Police Salman Dogo Garba urged vehicle owners to register their cars on the platform, emphasizing its value in swiftly tracking stolen automobiles.

One of the recovered vehicles, a Toyota Corolla 2014 model, was stolen on January 1, 2025, from a car dealership in Zuba, Abuja. According to the victim, two suspects posing as potential buyers seized the car at gunpoint during a test drive. They fled with the car, its original documents, and two keys.

The second vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz C300, was reported stolen on January 4, 2025, from outside Luxirian Event Center in Kano’s Nassarawa GRA area.

Acting swiftly, the Anti-Car Theft Unit, under CP Garba’s direction, utilized data from the e-CMR platform. Between January 10 and 15, 2025, detectives recovered the Toyota Corolla in Bauchi State near Old Airport and the Mercedes-Benz in Shagari Quarters, Kano.

“The swift action by our detectives showcases the effectiveness of the e-CMR platform,” SP Kiyawa said. “Investigations into the cases are ongoing.”

CP Garba praised the team for their efficiency and commended the public’s support in aiding law enforcement efforts. He reiterated the importance of the e-CMR platform, urging Nigerians to embrace the technology for easier vehicle tracking and recovery.

The recoveries demonstrate how technology can bolster public safety and restore confidence in law enforcement.

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