FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FENRAD Condemns Daylight Theft of its operational Vehicle
Calls for Urgent Police Action and Government Intervention
Aba, Abia State – August 4, 2026
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), Nigeria has strongly condemned the theft of an official vehicle belonging to its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, describing the incident as a disturbing indication of the worsening security situation and the increasing wave of vehicle theft in Aba and its environs.
The vehicle was stolen on Sunday, 19th July 2026, during a church service at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Aba, where it had been parked along the roadside beside the church while Comrade Nwafor attended worship and an extended prayer session.
Narrating the unfortunate incident, Comrade Nwafor explained that it had been his routine to park the vehicle at the same location whenever he attended church services. After the regular worship service, he usually remained behind for an additional prayer session before departing
The vehicle was parked in an open and visible location where members of the public and passers-by could easily observe activities around it.
Upon returning after the prayer session, however, the vehicle had vanished.
“It is deeply unfortunate that in broad daylight, while I was in church worshipping God, hoodlums stole my vehicle.
This unfortunate incident reflects the growing insecurity in Aba and underscores the urgent need for decisive measures to protect citizens and their property.”
The stolen vehicle is described as follows:
Vehicle Make: Toyota Camry
Colour: Ash
Registration Number: AGL 315 AV
(Lagos plate number)
Engine Number: 5S6116426
Chassis Number: JT2BG22K7V0025850
Engine Capacity: 1.6–2.0L
Following the incident, the theft was promptly reported to the Azuka Police Station, Eziama Police Station, and the Area Commander, Aba Area Command, for immediate investigation and coordinated security action.
In addition, information concerning the stolen vehicle has been circulated to major automobile spare parts markets, including Alaoji and Port Harcourt, where intelligence suggests that many stolen vehicles are often dismantled and their components sold in retail markets.
This proactive step is intended to prevent the vehicle from being dismembered and to facilitate its possible recovery.
FENRAD notes with grave concern the increasing incidence of vehicle theft around churches and other public places in Aba, particularly on Sundays when worshippers are engaged in religious activities. Criminals appear to be exploiting these gatherings by targeting unattended vehicles, especially Toyota models, thereby exposing innocent citizens to substantial financial losses.
The organisation lamented that the stolen vehicle was a critical operational asset used to support FENRAD’s environmental advocacy, human rights interventions, community engagement programmes, humanitarian outreach, and public interest activities across Abia State and beyond. Its loss has significantly affected the organisation’s operational capacity at a time when the cost of replacing vehicles has become exceedingly high due to prevailing economic realities.
Accordingly, FENRAD calls on the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, to intensify ongoing investigations by deploying all available intelligence and operational resources towards the immediate recovery of the stolen vehicle and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the crime.
The organisation equally appeals to the Abia State Government to strengthen security architecture across the state by improving surveillance around churches, markets, commercial centres, and other public places that have increasingly become targets for criminal activities. Enhanced policing, intelligence gathering, technological surveillance, and community policing initiatives are essential to reversing this disturbing trend.
FENRAD further observes that the prevailing economic hardship in the country has contributed to a rise in theft and other violent crimes. While acknowledging these socioeconomic challenges, the organisation maintains that criminality can never be justified and calls for sustained efforts to address both insecurity and the underlying economic conditions that fuel crime.
The Foundation remains optimistic that the search for and eventual recovery of the stolen vehicle will serve as a critical test of the investigative capacity, professionalism, and criminal intervention strategies of the Nigeria Police Force in Aba and its environs.
FENRAD expresses confidence that the police will demonstrate their commitment to protecting lives and property by ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
The organisation also appeals to members of the public to provide any credible information that may assist law enforcement agencies in locating the vehicle and identifying those responsible for the theft.
FENRAD remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting human rights, environmental justice, accountability, and good governance, while advocating for a safer and more secure society for all Nigerians.
Signed:
Barr. Femisi Akande
Head Legal matters and Litigation
Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), Nigeria
