**Title: Effect of Technology on Combating Car Theft in Nigeria in 2022**
In a determined effort to combat vehicle theft and the criminal networks behind it, the Nigeria Police Force has rolled out a revolutionary new tool, the Electronic Central Vehicle Registry (E-CMR). Since its deployment a month ago, the system has enabled the police to track 612 stolen vehicles across the country. Under the supervision of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, investigations have been launched to dismantle the motor crime networks.
The first batch of seven stolen vehicles reported through the E-CMR platform has led to extensive investigations, and three of them have already been recovered. One of the vehicles, stolen from Abuja, was traced to Ilorin, Kwara State and returned to its rightful owner last weekend.
According to a statement from the Police Headquarters, in addition to the recovered vehicles, the E-CMR portal has highlighted 1,610 vehicles for which conflicting information was identified. All these cases have been subjected to further investigation.
Speaking on the success of the E-CMR initiative, the Police noted that the system is aimed at significantly reducing vehicle theft and related crimes. The public has responded positively, with more and more vehicle owners registering on the platform.
The shift from the manual CMR system, which has been in place for decades, to the electronic CMR is expected to improve vehicle tracking and recovery. Vehicle owners are encouraged to provide their information via the Police portal at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng and report stolen vehicles via https://reportcmr.npf.gov.ng.
The Police explained that a stolen car in Abuja was recovered after the buyer applied for a CMR certificate, triggering an alert that the vehicle was stolen. Subsequent investigations revealed that the vehicle had been registered twice in a bid to conceal its stolen status. A member of the car theft syndicate has been arrested and will soon be arraigned in court.
The Police is collaborating with other agencies to enhance vehicle security nationwide and is encouraging vehicle owners to obtain their CMR certificates to facilitate recovery in case of theft.
In conclusion, with the integration of technology in the fight against car theft, Nigeria is taking a giant step towards increased road safety and effective combat against motor crime. The E-CMR scanner is proving to be a valuable tool in the fight against these criminal networks, bringing new hope to owners of stolen vehicles across the country.