The Anambra Internal Revenue Service has arrested four persons for engaging in illegal revenue collection in Onitsha.
The suspects identified as Ikenna Udoji, Kosi Iwobi, Chidera Ogbogu and Monday, were arrested while collecting money ranging from one thousand, two hundred naira from keke riders opposite Army Gate.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, the AIRS Special Squad Commander, Nathan Obikwelu, said the suspects, who have been charged to court, contravened Anambra State Government law that bans illegal collection of revenue from tricycle riders and commercial bus operators.
Obikwelu maintained that the arrest also aligned with the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo’s directive that there must be no more illegal cash collection in Anambra State.
He said, “The agency recorded another major breakthrough with the arrest of four’ notorious illegal collectors operating across Ogbaru and the Head Bridge axis.
“The suspects were picked up during a coordinated operation after investigations revealed they had been extorting citizens, transport operators, and investors under the guise of collecting levies.
“The arrests align with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive that there must be no more illegal cash collections in Anambra State.”
Punch Online on January 20, reported that the state government, through the Special Anti-Touting Squad, arrested six illegal revenue collectors operating around the River Niger bridges and communities in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were apprehended on Monday at different locations during a coordinated operation, following investigations that revealed they had been extorting residents, transport operators, and investors under the guise of collecting levies.
Speaking to journalists on the development, the Managing Director of the Special Anti-Touting Squad, Monday Nwokoye, said the arrests were in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive that illegal cash collections must cease in the state.
Nwokoye said the operation was triggered by tip-offs and intelligence gathered from residents and victims who reported that some individuals were stopping people and forcefully collecting money from them under false pretenses.
Credit: Punch