The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has arrested several individuals in Onitsha for illegally selling tickets and emblems to commercial motorcyclists, in violation of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive.
Commander of the AIRS Special Squad, Mr. Nathan Obikwelu, revealed that the suspects were caught extorting N5,000 from motorcyclists at Afor-Igwe, Umudioka, with the backing of armed security personnel. He assured that they would be detained and arraigned in court, emphasizing that the crackdown on illegal revenue collection would continue.
One of the suspects, Mr. Nnamdi Egbochuo from Imo State, admitted to being a revenue agent but claimed he was operating under an accredited government agent at Sand Beach.
A victim of the extortion, Mr. Sunday Nnaji, lamented that the illegal collectors forcibly took money from them and, in cases of non-compliance, confiscated motorcycles until heavy payments were made.