Anambra Govt Arrests Suspected Illegal Revenue Collectors In Awka, Onitsha

Anambra State government has arrested suspected illegal revenu ecollectors at Onitsha and in Awka during raid in the two towns.

Odogwublog reports that the raid, by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in collaboration with other ministries and agencies arrested illegal revenue collectors at notorious points within Onitsha and environs while an impersonating body, which calls itself, Importers Association of Nigeria was arrested at Amansea Awka.

Parading the suspects at the Revenue House, Agu Awka, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Uche Okafor reiterated the resolve of the state government to totally stamp out activities of illegal revenue collectors noting that their constant resurfacing shows the level of backing they get from their sponsors.

The Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Afam Mbanefo said the joint action of ministries was necessitated by series of complaint by road users on the activities of illegal revenue collectors, which he said is
becoming a nuisance.

On his part, the chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Dr David Nzekwu, while restating that revenues are not collected on the road but rather at designated points as arranged by government, explained that the activities of the illegal revenue collectors affect the state in diverse ways adding that the joint effort will be a continuous one.

Some of the suspects, including those impersonating Importer Association of Nigeria, who were kitted in branded shirts and military gears with a Seana car, said they were not on illegal duty nor revenue collection but works for the Federal Ministry of Interior while Mr. Bartholomew Izuchukwu admitted collecting illegal revenue as a means of livelihood.