In this emotional interview, 62-year-old former machine operator Matthew Oboro tells Ajibade Omape how his Volkswagen Jetta, stolen in 2015, was later discovered in police custody—converted into their patrol vehicle—after he had made payments to aid its recovery.
Can you describe how and when your car was stolen?
It happened on November 13, 2015. I had attended a programme at Mercy Land Church along Jakpa Road in Warri, Delta State. I parked my car near a nearby clinic and went in. But when I returned after the service, the vehicle was gone.
Panicked, I rushed back to the church and reported the incident to the pastor. He prayed for me and, before travelling to South Africa, advised me to notify the police. I did so immediately.
At the station, I was asked to provide a photograph and full details of the car. I complied, and the officers told me to pay a fee so they could circulate a signal to other stations. I kept checking in with them regularly, but each time, they told me nothing had been found.
What happened after that?
After a while, I lost all hope. People advised me to let it go. But two years later, while heading to Sapele Road with a friend, I saw what looked like my car parked near a roundabout. Curious, I pointed it out and asked if it could be mine. My friend was unsure, but I had a strong feeling it was.
On a subsequent visit to the same location, I brought along the vehicle’s documents. The car was still there. Upon closer inspection, I saw all the original church stickers I had left inside the car. That confirmed it—it was indeed mine.
What did you do next?
I got out of the car I was in and approached the vehicle. I asked people nearby who had parked it there, and they told me it belonged to the police. It turned out to be officers from the very station where I had filed the theft report.
I approached some officers and told them the vehicle was mine. One of them asked for the documents, which I provided. The number plate had been removed and kept in the trunk. After verifying the details, the officer said I’d need to follow them to the station. A woman nearby warned me against going with them for safety reasons. I then called my son, who went to the station thinking I had been taken there.
Did you eventually return to the station?
Yes, I went back the next day but was told their boss wasn’t around. On the third visit, I met the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), who had just been transferred from Abuja. He took my son and me to see their superior.
The senior officer confirmed that the car had indeed been recovered by his men. However, he claimed they had spent ₦115,000 repairing it and that I needed to reimburse them to get it back. I was shocked because the car had been in perfect condition when stolen. I told them I couldn’t afford that amount. The DCO pleaded with me, but I eventually decided to take legal action.
Did you pay the police any money to help recover the car initially?
Yes, though I can’t recall the exact amount. I gave some money to a female Investigating Police Officer at the time, as instructed, to help send signals about the stolen vehicle to other stations.
What is your occupation?
I’m a machine operator, specifically for equipment that handles large pipes. But currently, I’m unemployed.
What kind of vehicle was stolen?
It was a Volkswagen Jetta.
Did the matter go to court?
Yes. On July 19, 2018, the court ruled in my favour and ordered the police to pay me ₦10 million in damages. My lawyer told me to wait for some procedures. But in February 2019, he informed me that the police had appealed the judgment, despite having no real defence—just a tactic to delay the case.
The appeal was transferred to the Court of Appeal in Asaba. My pastor connected me with a senior pastor who agreed to financially support my legal battle, with the understanding that I would reimburse him later. He took over the case and filed a letter with the court.
In 2023, the Appeal Court fixed a date after receiving correspondence from my lawyer. However, the case has since been postponed three times, and nothing further has been done.
Why do you think the police appealed the case?
I honestly don’t know. The car isn’t theirs, and they have no legitimate reason to hold on to it.
What were you using the car for before it was stolen?
I was operating it part-time as a taxi to support myself, as I didn’t have a steady job. It was also used for personal transport.
How has the loss affected your life?
It’s been devastating. This is the 10th year since the car was taken. My wife has since moved out due to financial difficulties. With no income from the taxi work, things became unbearable.
What’s your next move?
I’m still hopeful that justice will prevail. But the process has been painfully slow, and I’ll keep pursuing it until my car or the justice due to me is returned.
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