Police launch manhunt for suspects after judge’s Toyota Corolla vanishes near court premises; public urged to provide clues

The men of the Nigerian Police Officers, Abia State Police Command has launched a full-scale manhunt for a black Toyota Corolla belonging to a Chief Magistrate, which was brazenly stolen in broad daylight outside a court premises in Umuahia.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the command said investigations were already underway and called on members of the public to provide credible information that could lead to the recovery of the vehicle and the arrest of those behind the theft.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, stated briefly that the case had been officially reported and was being actively investigated. She assured residents that the command was treating the incident with urgency and seriousness.

The victim, Chief Magistrate Mrs Ngozi Pearl Lekwa of Court 2, Umuahia, recounted that she parked the vehicle—a black 2008 Toyota Corolla—outside the court along Finbarrs Road at about 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday before proceeding to her office.

She said the shock came hours later.

“However, upon stepping out of the court premises shortly after noon, I discovered that the vehicle was no longer where I parked it,” she said.

In a crucial lead, the magistrate revealed that a friend later reported spotting the vehicle being driven at high speed shortly after it left the Market Square area. The witness noticed a man behind the wheel but did not see Mrs Lekwa inside the car.

The friend, assuming the driver had been sent on an errand, did not raise an alarm despite finding the speed unusual.

Mrs Lekwa stressed that she had not authorised anyone to use the car and still had the key in her possession at the time the theft occurred—raising concerns about how the vehicle was accessed and driven away.

In a twist of timing, she disclosed that she had ordered steering locks for two of her vehicles just a day earlier as an added security measure. While one had been delivered, the second—meant for the stolen car—had yet to arrive.

Describing the vehicle as a popular “bank car” model, she urged the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings or useful information to security agencies.

Police say efforts are ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the vehicle.