By; Sani Aliyu, Zaria.
In its efforts to fight the use of second hand (tokunbo) tyres by motorists, the Zaria Unit Command of federal road Safety Corps (FRSC) have arrested a 50 years old Mohammed of Tudun Wada Zaria who specialized in retreading old tyres for unsuspecting vehicle use.
Parading the suspect before newsmen in his office, the Zaria Unit Commander Assistant Corp Commander Boyi Ali Maigari said the suspect show no sign of regret of what led to his arrest.
Mr. Maigari added that they discovered most of the crashes and accident in recent times are tyre violation.
“We realised that most drivers are patronizing the retread tyres not even Tokunbo which government condemned the used of”.
The FRSC Zaria Unit is planning to organise a sensitization workshop for stakeholders in the transport sector on the dangers of using retreaded tyres on the vehicles.
Mr. Maigari called on the general public and stakeholders in transport sector to stop patronising the second hand tyres in order to discourage them from their evil business.
When asked why he was arrested, the suspect Muhammed said he is in the business for over 40 years and he learned it from his father which they survived on.
“I come to see my boy Shamsu a 25 years old whom they arrested during a raid of my workshop at Tudun Wada Zaria today Friday and they arrested me and detained me.
“I have no regret in doing this business because it is not a crime but a business” he said.
Tyre is sold between N500 and N800 depending on the capability of the buyer without considering the danger involved in it.
Items recovered from the suspect which he uses to retread old tyres includes one power generator, two treading machines, two transistors.
The suspects were handed over to Nigerian Security and Civil Defence (NSCD) Zaria command for questioning.
