By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Some men arrested by the Anambra State government, through the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), for illegal revenue collection in various communities across the state have stated that they have legal documents they are working with.
The men, numbering seven, were apprehended at Umueze Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area, Umueri in Anambra East LGA, and Nkpor along Obosi Road in Idemili North LGA on Friday, November 14.
The Commander of the AIRS Special Squad, Nathan Obikwelu, said the arrests followed a tip-off about an incident in Umueri, where individuals allegedly stopped a tricycle operator carrying 18 cartons of fish and demanded N18,000 from him.
The names of those arrested were given as Olisah Monday, Chukwubuike Tony, Nweke Stephen, Nwachukwu Nnamdi, Ugochukwu Umerah, Oluebube Chukwunagolum, and Adakaigbo Onyeka.
Obikwelu said: “The suspects were arrested at different locations while trying to extort money from some transport operators. Another set of suspects was arrested while collecting illegal money at a sand mining site at Umueze Anam, even as they picked the last suspects along Nkpor–Obosi road.”
During interrogation, one of the suspects, Nwachukwu Nnamdi, admitted that they were collecting money, but claimed, “We have legal documents we are working with.”
The AIRS Special Squad Commander further commended the state government and AIRS leadership.
Obikwelu also warned that the agency was committed to rooting out illegal revenue collectors in the state and ensuring that only authorised personnel collect government levies.
Recall that the state governor, Professor Charles Soludo, had assured the government would clamp down on illegal tax collectors in the state, saying a task force would be set up to forestall illegal tax collections, while cash payments are properly remitted to the government coffers.
He also pegged the maximum fine payable for any traffic offence in the state at N10,000, regardless of the nature of the offence, effective from October 14, 2025.
Soludo stated this on Tuesday, October 14, during a town hall meeting by transport stakeholders at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha.
