Successful Recovery of Stolen Vehicle by INTERPOL and NiDCOM

In a successful joint operation, INTERPOL Nigeria and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) recovered a stolen vehicle belonging to the Secretary of NiDCOM. The operation highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the timely reporting of vehicle thefts. Key figures expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to this significant recovery.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), alongside the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL, Nigeria), successfully recovered the official vehicle belonging to the Secretary of NiDCOM, which was stolen in November 2022. During the handover of the recovered vehicle, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, expressed her sincere appreciation to INTERPOL, the Nigerian Embassy in Ghana, and the dedicated efforts of the Commission’s staff, particularly Akinsola Akinboye, for their instrumental roles in tracing and retrieving the vehicle. Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged the collaborative achievement, stating, “Almost a year ago, this car was stolen, and we are grateful for Dr. Bassi’s life as well. Through diligent tracking, we were able to recover the car from Ghana. This recovery is truly historic for us.” Onyebuchi Matthew, the INTERPOL representative overseeing vehicle crimes and investigations, elaborated on the cooperative efforts that facilitated the vehicle’s recovery. He noted, “The report of the stolen vehicle was made nearly a year ago, and we immediately began communication with our counterparts. Initially, the vehicle wasn’t in Ghana but was later traced there. Special thanks to NiDCOM staff, particularly Akinsola Akinboye, for his vital contributions.” Mr. Matthew emphasized the necessity of reporting stolen vehicles promptly, highlighting, “We’ve recovered multiple vehicles stolen from Nigeria and abroad. However, many Nigerians fail to report stolen vehicles promptly, which makes recovery more challenging. It’s crucial to report stolen vehicles to INTERPOL immediately, so they can be registered in our database.” Akinsola Akinboye expressed gratitude for the trust bestowed upon him by Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa and the security agencies, stating, “It all started like a joke, but I want to thank Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the security agencies for believing in me and giving me the go-ahead to recover the vehicle.” Sule Bassi, the Secretary of NiDCOM, reflected on the traumatic experience of the vehicle theft and expressed relief at its recovery. He remarked, “The trauma of the armed robbery was difficult to overcome, but escaping it was a miracle.” He added, “We prayed for two things: the recovery of the car and the exposure of the culprits responsible for the crime.” This successful recovery underscores the efficacy of cross-border cooperation and reiterates the importance of timely vehicle theft reporting.

The case of the stolen vehicle belonging to the Secretary of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission highlights the significant role of INTERPOL in international crime prevention and investigation, particularly in tracking stolen vehicles across borders. The collaboration between Nigerian authorities and their counterparts in Ghana exemplifies how combined efforts can lead to successful recoveries of stolen assets. This incident further emphasizes the importance of immediate reporting by vehicle owners in the event of theft to facilitate prompt action.

The recovery of the stolen vehicle by INTERPOL and NiDCOM reinforces the impact of international collaboration in combating vehicle theft. It serves as a reminder to vehicle owners of the critical importance of promptly reporting stolen vehicles to aid in their recovery. The successful tracking and retrieval of the vehicle from Ghana is a significant achievement that reflects the dedication and hard work of all involved parties.

Original Source: www.premiumtimesng.com