Dangerous 'Tokunbo' Cars: How Accident Wrecks from US, Canada Enter Nigerian Roads

The allure of foreign-used cars, or 'tokunbo,' has long been a staple for Nigerian motorists seeking value. However, a disturbing trend is emerging: unsuspecting buyers are falling victim to a market flooded with vehicles that were once declared total write-offs due to major accidents abroad. These cars, often superficially repaired, are finding their way onto our roads, presenting a grave danger that goes beyond mere mechanical inconvenience.

Star Okigwe's harrowing experience, where his dream car broke down less than three months after purchase due to hidden accident damage, is not an isolated incident. Businessman Ekundayo Japheat narrowly avoided a similar fate, thanks to a vigilant mechanic who identified the vehicle's compromised history. These anecdotes underscore a critical issue: the difficulty in detecting these 'accident imports' and the deceptive practices that allow them to be passed off as sound vehicles. The consequences are dire, ranging from crippling repair costs to, more alarmingly, compromised safety systems.

Industry experts and a recent study published in BMC Public Health confirm the severity of this problem. Vehicles with compromised structural integrity and inadequate repairs are significantly more likely to cause fatalities on Nigerian roads than poor road conditions themselves. This research directly links vehicle quality to road safety outcomes, making the prevalence of poorly repaired accident imports a matter of national public health concern. It is imperative that buyers exercise extreme caution and insist on thorough mechanical inspections, as the savings on an initial purchase can pale in comparison to the potential costs in safety, repairs, and even lives.

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a few months before I bought my car, a friend of mine was about to buy what looked like a brand-new, imported Toyota in Akure. The car was sleek, clean and attractive. He had already fallen in love with it until a skilled mechanic with whom he took to assess the vehicle pointed out that it had been involved in a major accident in the United States. He was unhappy, but at the same time relieved that his money had not been wasted.