Men 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.
Joint Operation Leads to Recovery
In a statement released, the Gombe Police Command Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, said its officials from the State Intelligence Department (SID) worked 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.
Vehicle Trail Across Nigeria and Niger Republic
Preliminary investigations identified the owner of the vehicle as Cecilia A. Duru, a resident of Akwaka Lane, Rumuodumaya, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. 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. The police 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.
Investigation Launched
The Gombe State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation to identify the individuals responsible for the theft and subsequent illegal trafficking of the vehicle.
