By *Comrade Kunle Sodipo, FICSSM, MNINM, ANIPR*
_Ogun State, Nigeria based Public Affairs Analyst and Security Strategist_
_9 August, 2026_
In Nigeria today, when a vehicle, generator, laptop, or any movable property is stolen, the first sentence we hear is: _”Police, do something!”_
The second sentence, 48 hours later is: _”The Police are not serious. They can’t even recover one car.”_
We expect magic. Instant results. As if the Nigeria Police Force has a tracking device for every generator in Ikeja and every Toyota in Port Harcourt.
Let’s be honest with ourselves: Policing is hard work. And the Nigeria Police have repeatedly proven their ability to work under extremely difficult conditions — poor funding, manpower gaps, and rising crime.
But we, the citizens, are not making their job any easier.
*The Missing Link: Proof of Ownership*
Here’s the painful truth. A stolen Hilux and 10 other Hiluxes will pass through the same checkpoint. Without proof, how will a Police officer know which one is stolen?
Without documents, how can the Police legally stop, seize, and return your property to you? They can’t. And that’s where most recovery efforts die.
We expect them to “know” that your machine was stolen. But the law requires evidence.
That’s why citizen cooperation is not optional. It’s the difference between recovery and permanent loss.
*2 Simple Things Every Nigerian Must Do Today*
If we are serious about helping the Police help us, then let’s start with basic responsibility:
*1. Collect and meticulously keep receipts for all movable properties*
That generator receipt, that car invoice, that laptop warranty card. Don’t throw it away. File it. Take a picture and back it up on your phone and email. That paper is your property’s birth certificate.
*2. Carry proof when moving valuable items*
Anytime you are moving machines, vehicles, or high-value equipment from one location to another, ensure you have either the original or a photocopy of the purchase receipt with you. Or at least on your phone.
This single act gives the Police legal grounds to stop and question suspicious movement. It gives them power to recover on your behalf the moment your item shows up somewhere.
Without it, even a well-meaning officer’s hands are tied.
*Security Is A Partnership, Not A Spectator Sport*
We cannot keep outsourcing our own security to the Police alone and then criticize them when they fail.
Crime fighting works best when citizens and security agencies work as a team. The Police provide the force and investigation. We provide the information and documentation.
When you have receipts, you make it easy for Police to:
– Identify stolen items at checkpoints, markets, and borders
– Prosecute thieves with solid evidence in court
– Return recovered items to the rightful owners without 2 years of litigation
*Final Word*
Don’t wait until your car is gone before you start looking for papers.
The Police are not magicians. But with your cooperation, they can be very effective. When you move a generator, a laptop or any expensive machine from one location to another, endeavor to have the receipt with you. Police have the right to demand for the receipt anywhere and anytime no matter how long the property was purchased.
That receipt in your drawer could be the reason your stolen generator comes back home.
Let’s stop demanding magic. Let’s start providing evidence.
A safer Nigeria begins with responsible citizens.
Feedback: kdrexafricanchild@gmail.com
