The Abia State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the theft of a Toyota Corolla belonging to a chief magistrate in Umuahia, the state capital.

The vehicle was reportedly stolen outside a court premises, prompting security agencies to launch a manhunt for the suspects and appeal to the public for information that could aid its recovery.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the case had been officially reported and that efforts were underway to recover the vehicle and apprehend those responsible.

“The above was reported, and investigation is ongoing,” she stated.

Chinaka assured residents that the police were treating the matter with urgency and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist investigators.

Narrating the incident, the owner of the vehicle, Chief Magistrate Ngozi Pearl Lekwa of Court 2, Umuahia, said she parked the black Toyota Corolla outside the court premises along Finbarrs Road at about 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday before proceeding to her office for official duties.

According to her, she expected to spend only a short time at work before leaving later in the day for personal engagements.

However, when she stepped outside the court premises shortly after noon, she discovered that the vehicle had disappeared.

Mrs Lekwa said a friend later informed her that she had seen the vehicle being driven away at high speed after leaving the vicinity of Market Square.

The witness reportedly observed a man behind the steering wheel but did not see the magistrate in the vehicle. Believing that the driver may have been running an errand on her behalf, the friend did not raise an alarm, although she found the speed of the vehicle unusual.

The magistrate stressed that she had not authorised anyone to use the car and still had the vehicle’s key in her possession when the theft was discovered.

She further revealed that she had recently ordered steering locks for her two vehicles as an added security measure.

According to her, only one of the locks had been delivered, while the second one intended for the stolen vehicle had not arrived before the incident occurred.

The stolen vehicle is a black 2008 Toyota Corolla, popularly referred to as a “bank car.”

Mrs Lekwa confirmed that the matter had been reported to the police and appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide any information that could help security agencies trace the vehicle and arrest those behind the theft.

The police have urged anyone who spots the vehicle or has useful information regarding its whereabouts to contact the nearest police station immediately.