Awka – Three members of an illegal revenue collection syndicate operating in Onitsha, were on Wednesday, arrested at MCC junction and upper iweka, Onitsha.
The suspects were nabbed yesterday by Police operatives attached to the Command Rapid Response Squad(RRS), while on patrol.
They are Paul Nnamdi Okonkwo aged 40years and Chukwura Ebube, aged 23years both from Amafor village, Nkpor in Idemili LGA of Anambra State and Cynthia Agbaero, of Afisiri village in Ugheli North LGA of Delta State.
Recall that Anambra State Government had on the 7th December, 2020 banned all forms of road revenue collection by persons claiming to be State revenue agents or officials.
The government statement which was issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, warned that any person who purports to be a revenue officer or agent and demands payment on any of the roads in the state should be reported immediately to the nearest law enforcement officer.
Following interrogation, the suspects claimed they were revenue collectors hired by one Innocent Offordile alleged to be the SSA to the Governor on Security and Chairman, enforcement and compliance Committee.
Speaking on the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed said the government appointee has been invited by the Police for questioning to ascertain his level of involvement or otherwise, after which suspects will be charged to court.
He reassured that the police and other law enforcement agencies in the state will continue to ensure the strict enforcement of government decision banning revenue collection on all the roads in the state.
