The Abuja Automobile Tyre Dealers’ Association has raised the alarm over what it described as a reign of terror in the Apo Tyre Market, accusing a former chairman, Mr. Chimezie Ifeh, of orchestrating violent attacks, intimidation and financial misconduct, while calling on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the association’s chairman, Samuel Akah alleged that Ifeh, whose tenure as chairman ended in 2022, had refused to accept the outcome of the association’s election and had since unleashed violence on members.
According to Okoye, the association, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) since February 21, 1996, remains the only legally recognised umbrella body for tyre, rim, battery and automobile accessory dealers in the Federal Capital Territory.
He alleged that Ifeh unlawfully extended his tenure beyond its expiration, and after his removal, diverted association assets worth hundreds of millions of naira and later established a parallel association with a similar name to mislead the public.
The association also accused the former chairman and his supporters of attacking members during a general meeting on November 4, 2025, and carrying out another violent assault on July 9, 2026, while officials were collecting association dues. The traders claimed several members sustained injuries, while tyres were allegedly set ablaze on a major expressway in Apo, disrupting traffic.
Speaking further, the association secretary, Mr. Arinze Okoye, alleged that suspected weapons were brought into the market on July 10, 2026, but said members intercepted one of the vehicles involved, while another reportedly escaped.
The association also accused the Divisional Police Officer of Apo Division, CSP Uchenna Igwebike, of failing to act on multiple petitions submitted over the alleged attacks, claiming several suspects remain at large despite documentary and video evidence.
Among its demands, the association called on President Tinubu to direct security agencies to restore peace in the market, urged the Inspector-General of Police to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of those named in its petitions, and appealed for an investigation into any police officers alleged to have shielded the suspects.
The traders also urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to ensure accountability over the attacks and asked the Corporate Affairs Commission to deregister what they described as a fraudulent parallel association.
The association maintained that it was not encouraging self-help but was seeking lawful intervention to enable traders to conduct their businesses without fear.
Also, one of the elders in the market, Aloysius Okonkwo, who spoke to journalist after the briefing, said the former chairman promised to make the regime of this current leadership ungovernable.
According to him, “the former chairman pledged to make the market ungovernable for the current regime and it. Immediately after the election of the current chairman, the former one, whose candidate was defeated, made the threat and he has been doing that since then.”
