Inside Abuja’s Apo mechanic village
Welcome to Apo mechanic village, a settlement which prides itself as a hobb of local technology with a cesspool of mechanic activities. The rural settings notwithstanding, Apo is home to Abuja’s biggest auto spare parts market of different types of vehicles. Not even the neighboring Gudu spare parts market can boast of the availability of […]
Welcome to Apo mechanic village, a settlement which prides itself as a hobb of local technology with a cesspool of mechanic activities. The rural settings notwithstanding, Apo is home to Abuja’s biggest auto spare parts market of different types of vehicles. Not even the neighboring Gudu spare parts market can boast of the availability of spare part stocks in Apo village. Over time, the village has carved a niche for itself as a mechanic’s delight as auto mechanics and other artisans throng the place daily from all parts of Abuja in search of vehicle spare parts. “Some people even come from as far as Kubwa, Mararaba, and Gwagwalada to buy spare parts.” Said Solomon Ebuka, a sales attendant in one of the shops. Obioma Chukwurah, one of the mechanics who practice his trade in the area told Sunday Trust that “in this market, you can find spare parts of almost all the vehicles in Abuja. If you don’t see any spare part here in Apo then you will have to go to Lagos or Onitsha.” Aside from the bustling activities of auto mechanics and other artisans, the village is also a skill acquisition center of some sort especially in view of the fact that young boys who work as apprentice in areas associated with mechanical and electrical engineering, vulcanizing, battery charging, furniture making, spray painting and other commercial activities.
There are also allegations of existence of fake motor spare parts at Apo Mechanic village. According to people who claimed to be victims of fake spare parts, “it takes an eagle eye backed up by some degree of knowledge to distinguish between a genuine spare part and a fake one. This is not to say that genuine spare parts are not available here. Laymen usually fall prey to the antics of fake spare parts dealers. Also on the list are the activities of some gang of boys known as agents. They don’t own a shop at the market but they act as agents to shop owners.
However despite the volume of commercial transactions that takes place there on a daily basis, Apo mechanic village also has a reputation of harboring criminals and other individuals of questionable character. For instance, the village is said to be a haven of stolen cars and other criminal minded individuals who hibernate in the area. “Apo mechanic village is a place where anything can happen .for instance, if a car is stolen from any part of the town and brought here, that will be the end of the matter as it would be dismantled and sold as spare parts. Here, a car can be assembled within a very short period of time.” Said Thomas Okwerekwu, a spray painter. Oladele Daniel who operates a mechanical workshop in the area also confirmed that “most of the vehicles you see on display for sale are actually stolen cars which they bring here and the panel beaters will work on them, change their engine and chassis numbers and put them up for sale. There are some hidden spots where stolen cars are sprayed and other clandestine businesses are transacted: “When your car is taken there, it comes out with a different color that even if someone tells you it is your car, you will not agree with him.”
Apo mechanic village is also a haven of commercial sex workers who satisfy the canal appetite of the workers. These ladies are usually seen claded in skimpy clothes at bars and restaurants scouting for their customers. Others casually hang around during the day and as soon as night falls, they dress in very provocative outfits and head for the city centre where they carry out their trade.
When asked about the security measures in the area, a policeman at the Garki police station who pleaded anonymity explained that “the police are aware of the shady business going on in Apo Mechanic village, which is why we have deployed our men to patrol the entire area and fish out the criminals among them.”
But Mohammed Tanko, a mechanic was quick to disagree with the police officer. According to him, “the criminal activity that takes place here has the backing of the police. They too are part of it in a way because, they usually raid the road side fuel sellers and intimidate them into giving them fuel for their vehicles.” He said.