Lagos — More Nigerians died through the use of substandard tyres than AIDS between 2005 till date ,the Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON), has said.

Director of the agency, Joseph Odumodu, who disclosed this at a sensitization meeting with tyre traders in Ladipo area of Lagos,decried the development. He said these lives would have been saved if they had made use of the agency's specification on new tyres.

The Director, who was represented at the occasion by Head of Enforcement, Lewis Njoku, said his agency will not rest on its oars in promoting the use of standard tyres in the country as part of its campaign for zero tolerance for fake products.

He said expired and fairly used tyres are invitation to road accidents.

He implored the tyre traders to cooperate with his agency in this drive,saying all Nigerians stand to benefit from it.

Speaking,President of Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee,Iyke Animalu,promised to mobilise his members to stop the sale of substandard tyres to Nigerians.