The Gombe State Police Command has handed over a Toyota Highlander SUV stolen nearly five years ago in Rivers State to its owner after recovering the vehicle during a routine verification exercise in the state.
The vehicle was returned to its owner, Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, following investigations by operatives of the State Intelligence Department.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the police said the vehicle was recovered on June 8, 2026, through a joint operation involving the State Intelligence Department and the Federal Road Safety Corps at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service Vehicle Licensing Office.
According to the command, the vehicle was intercepted during a routine vehicle data verification exercise while it was being processed for re-registration.
The police said investigations confirmed that the Toyota Highlander belonged to Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru and had been stolen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 17, 2021.
“The investigation established that the vehicle belongs to Mrs. Cecilia A. Duru of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“Further findings revealed that after it was stolen, the vehicle was taken to the Republic of Niger in 2023.
