The Dangote Group of Companies Plc has declared 285 truck drivers wanted over the theft of about 3.5 million customised tyres of the company.

This was disclosed on Sunday by Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, Coordinator of the company’s National Patrol Unit, revealing that each tyre of the company had an identification number registered against the driver’s name at the collection point.

Magaji, a retired Commissioner of Police, appealed to those encouraging the drivers to steal the tyres by patronising them to stop forthwith revealing that Dangote tyres are customised and marked.

“Already, 285 drivers identified to have collected 285 tyres have been declared wanted while a number of others are on the run,” he said.

“Already, we have stopped their salaries and we are looking for them. So far, about 3.5 million tyres are missing from the company and we believe they are in circulation within and outside the country. We are determined to recover them.

“We are appealing to those patronising the drivers and who encouraged them to steal our tyres to stop forthwith. Dangote tyres are customised and marked. Dealers and vulcanisers should please beware.

“People should ensure that the tyres they buy either as new or second hand are not customised Dangote tyres. We have arraigned some drivers and dealers caught with tyres and efforts are being made to arrest vulcanisers involved.

“Our appeal to vulcanizers is to always look out for our logo on the tyres and report accordingly,” the coordinator said.

The former commissioner of police appealed to those in custody of the tyres to return them quietly either to the company or to the nearest police station to avoid unpleasant consequences, if caught.