How to track and recover any stolen vehicles in Nigeria: With or Without a GPS Car Tracker

Car theft continues to be a problem in many countries, including Nigeria. In 2019, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Nigeria Police Force, car theft was among the top crimes reported in urban areas. Reports and surveys have indicated that car theft remains a significant problem in major cities like Lagos and Abuja, with thousands of incidents occurring annually.

In 2024 alone, the Nigeria Police Force reported over 1,540 nationwide theft incidents, including cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles, as part of broader crime statistics. ThisDayLive also reported on 21 Jun 2024 that the High Command of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) arrested no fewer than 35,496 suspects for their participation in various crimes, rescued 1,907 kidnapped victims, recovered 2,750 firearms, 22,569 ammunition, and 1,540 vehicles nationwide, in one year.

To improve vehicle security, the Nigeria Police Force has introduced the Electronic Central Motor Registry Registration Process (e-CMR). This system allows the public to register their vehicles, including motorcycles, to ensure their safety. If a vehicle is reported stolen, the system can flag it by collating data provided by vehicle owners. Previously, finding a stolen car in Nigeria with or without a GPS car tracker was difficult, as the only recourse was to report the theft at a police station and hope for the best. Unfortunately, this option has not been very effective over the years.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply for Vehicle e-CMR

Step 1: 
Visit the official website at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng. 

Step 2: 
Click on Get Started. 

Step 3:
Create a profile (if a profile has been created earlier, go to step 8). 

Step 4:
Visit our complete step-by-step guide on how to apply for a vehicle e-CMR document on a separate page, The website is here

How to File a Stolen Car Report Using the Police eCMR Portal

According to force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the online platform will serve as a reliable data point for the possible recovery of the vehicle. Adejobi said the platform will also process motor vehicle information to support police operations and efforts toward enhancing national security.

After creating your account on the eCMR website, the next step is to visit the report URL on the Nigerian police’s eCMR website to file an official report. The website is here

Here are the steps:

1. After creating your account on the platform using the aforementioned steps, the next step is to report that your vehicle has been stolen.
2. Then click on “flag if stolen,” and this will instantly alert police formations nationwide to look out for the recovery and arrest of culprits.

Recover a stolen car with GPS

The reality of the matter is that there are several methods of preventing car theft but the use of GPS tracking devices and alarms serves as the best method. The reason for this is because Car alarms can make it difficult for someone to steal the car and GPS tracking devices can help the authorities recover the vehicle in case the criminal succeeds in stealing it.

• A GPS auto-recovery system can give instant location details which makes it easier for you to recover the vehicle. In case the vehicle is stolen and there’s no better way of running after the criminals, then you can have peace of mind knowing that police will be able to get instant location details and recover your vehicle quickly.
• GPS tracking devices from GPS readers are also going to give the details about your vehicle's location even when the thieves cut the vehicle’s battery cables. The reality of the matter is that thieves nowadays have sophisticated methods of getting away with stolen vehicles but if you get a proper GPS tracking system for your car, you can still get them.
• The other advantage is that you can as well be able to track your vehicles on a regular basis and observe your driver’s driving habits.

Recovering a stolen car can be a time-consuming and patient process. Stay vigilant, follow up on any leads, and continue to work with law enforcement to increase your chances of finding your car. While recovering a stolen car without a GPS tracker can be challenging, it's not impossible. By taking immediate action, utilizing available resources, and staying proactive, you can increase your chances of finding your car and bringing the thief to justice. Sometimes, stolen cars are taken to car spare parts markets and sold in parts. Popular cars like the Toyota Camry, Venza, and Corolla can be stripped down for parts in less than minutes after arriving at popular spare markets like Ladipo in Lagos state. It's important to act quickly if your car's spare parts are in high demand. If you live in Abuja, you should consider visiting the Apo Urban Market. If you reside in Port Harcourt, then you should head to Ikoku in Diobu.