The Sokoto State chapter of Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association has raised alarm over the influx of fake mechanics who have been stealing vehicles from their customers.
The state chairman of the association, Shehu Muhammad Rabah, raised alarm while briefing newsmen on the recent court verdict which affirmed his election on Saturday.
According to him, car thieves have now evolved a new strategy of stealing people’s vehicles.
“They disguise as technicians using fake identity card of NATA. Their victims are mostly travellers whose cars developed problem on the road.
“They will come, identify themselves as registered mechanics and if the problem is minor they will fix it and pretend to test the car but they will not come back.
“This is the trend now. We are calling on the general public, especially motorists to be wary of those fake mechanics,” he advised.
He noted that, the fake mechanics were using plastic identity cards, saying NATA members were not using plastic cards anywhere in the country.
On last Tuesday’s verdict by the Appellant court, sitting in Sokoto, which set aside the earlier judgement by the lower court by reaffirming their election, he described as a good omen to the association.
“With this judgement, the leadership tussle in Sokoto is over,” he said
The Vice Chairman of the Association in charge of Northwest, Abubakar Nasiru Kalhu, however, advised members to unite and develop the union.
The Patron of the Association, Mr. Innocent Ahamma, also urged members to join hands and salvage the union which he said had been inactive due to legal tussle.
