The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday announced the arrest of a 50-year old man, Mohammed Tudunwada, for retreading old tyres for sale to the public.
Commander of the FRSC Zaria unit in Kaduna State , Boyi Ali-Maigari, told newsmen in Zaria that the suspect’s factory was located at Tudun Wada area of the town, where he had been perpetrating his illegal business.
He said that the suspect failed to show any sign of remorse.
Mr. Ali-Maigari attributed most road crashes to tyre problems, saying that there were recurring cases of tyre violations by motorists.
“Investigation shows that most drivers patronise the retread tyres which are being used to ply our roads not minding the consequences on human lives,” he said.
He, however, lauded the efforts of the Federal Government for banning the importation and use of “tokunbo” tyres.
The commander said that the measure would guarantee the safety of lives and property of Nigerians.
He said the unit would organise a sensitisation workshops for stakeholders in the transport industry on the dangers of using retreaded tyres.
The suspect told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he inherited the business from his father and that the family had depended on it for more than 40 years.
“My boy, Shamsu, 25, was arrested during a raid at my workshop at Tudun Wada today (yesterday) and later I was arrested and detained. I have no regret doing this business left for me; it is not a crime but a business,” he said.
NAN reported that items recovered from the suspect included one power generator, two treading machines and two transistors.
Investigation revealed that a retreaded tyre is sold at between N500 and N800 in Zaria.