Police nab 13 illegal revenue collectors in Anambra

Thirteen suspects were on Wednesday nabbed by the Anambra State Police Command for alleged illegal revenue collection in the commercial city of Onitsha and its environs.

The arrest was made by police patrol teams led by the Area Commander Onitsha, ACP John Ogbuagbaka, while on patrol along Upper Iweka, Oba Ring Road and Owerri Road – all in Onitsha.

The State Government had on December 7, 2020 banned all forms of illegal revenue collections by persons under false pretense of being government revenue agents in the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects voluntarily confessed to the offence and claimed they were hired by one “Jonjoloko” to either collect or enforce the collections of revenue on behalf of government.

He added: “This brought the number of suspects arrested for illegal revenue collections so far to twenty nine (29) within three days and the operation is still ongoing. It would be recalled that the command has paraded sixteen suspects on Monday 18/1/2021.

“This operation was in compliance with Anambra State Government directives on the 7th December, 2020 banning all forms of illegal revenue collections by persons claiming to be state revenue agents or officials. Suspects would be brought to book as soon as investigations are concluded.”

The Command warned that anybody found engaging in such acts should be ready to face the full wrath of the law, saying that it will continue to pursue the hoodlums until they refrain from criminal activities or relocate from the state.