Traders and motorists in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State and environs have decried extortions through fake and illegal revenue collections.
Some of the worried traders said that lives have become unbearable because of illegal toll collection in the markets, roads, and streets by these elements parading as government agents.
They accused the state government of worsening their problem by issuing permits (authority) to several revenue agents, which in turn affects them.
We heard that the state government has cancelled collection of illegal levies while some people was busy collecting from both motorists, Keke, Shuttles, Trucks and Barrow tolls and Traders.
They are notorious along Limca Road-Nkpor Junction, Owerri Road, Obodokwu Road, Ezeiweka, Onitsha-Asaba Expressway by Uga Junction,Obodokwu by- pass by custom Barrack, Head Bridge by Niger Street, Zik Ave by Ochanja, Ogbaru Main Market bye-pass and Tracas bus stop at Upper Iweka axis, among others.
The government should streamline these revenue agents to stop multiple levies and extortions of money arbitrarily in the state.
We see many youths who claimed to be working for government, standing by roadsides, storm our markets, demanding for one levy or the other apart from those who come with permits from one ministry or the other demanding for levies.
Janet Okoye, a petty trader residing at Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state said the intimidation and embarrassment by the illegal revenue agents, who are mainly young boys, have become a major threat.
She said that after settling several levies to the ones inside markets ranging from N200, N1000 to N2000 for the goods paid for, the ones on the streets and roads will wait for theirs or your goods seized.
“We want the state government to come to our rescue and the earlier the better to save us from these illegal activities making lives unbearable.
“These boys demand unknown receipts from you by fire by force with the objective of extorting money and you dare not refuse or yours goods will be destroyed or seized in the process while struggling with them,” she said.
Ifeanyi Obika, a second hand cloth dealer said the number of illegal toll collections had increased tremendously, and only the state government with the political will can reduce or stop it.
Hyacinth Ude, a truck driver said the members had suffered most in the hands of the illegal agents.
“They bounce on us like bees when they tried to force owners of the goods you are carrying to part with some money and you intervened.
“They can damage your vehicle or seize your key in the process and you dare not challenge them or you will get the beating of your life,’ he said.
Consequently, the state government has directed security agencies to take steps to immediately stop all illegal extortion currently ongoing in the state, especially in Onitsha and environs.
Governor Willie Obiano notes that some criminal-minded elements, fake and illegal revenue collectors are making life unbearable for the people through fake and illegal revenue collections.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C Don Adinuba said the governor directed all security agencies in the state to step up efforts in protecting life and property.
“My attention has been drawn to the activities of the new wave of robbers, who are dispossessing people of hard-earned money and other valuables.
“Innocent citizens are daily robbed in the city and the adjoining towns. You must do something to re-assure Anambra people of their safety.This is not tolerable. You must maintain all-day and night surveillance to nip robberies in the bud.
“We cannot afford to have the marauders back in our midst again. Those armed with sticks and cudgels are not appointed by Government to collect Internally Generated Revenue for Government (IGR).
“These illegal collectors operate during the evenings, weeping people and acting in a manner that portrays them as self-serving mindless robbers.”
