Two revenue agents with the Anambra State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Board have been set ablaze by angry residents in Onitsha after their actions allegedly caused the death of a bystander.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Friday at Old Market Road, near Venn Road by Egerton, Onitsha.
Eyewitnesses stated that the tragedy unfolded when the agents reportedly was struggling with a tipper driver over his vehicle’s steering.
“The driver lost control, resulting in the vehicle hitting and killing an innocent bystander on the spot.
The account noted that the agents were, however, prevented from escaping after the accident by residents, including tricycle operators. Angered by the careless death of the bystander, the residents bounced on the two agents. They beat them with various objects before setting them on ablaze.
According to those that spoke on the incident, they claimed that burning of the agents were borne out of growing frustration among residents over the conduct of revenue agents in the State.
They stated that the revenue agents in the State often resort to the use of extreme and sometimes violent methods to enforce compliance.
According to one of the eyewitnesses: “There was chaos in Onitsha this morning as angry mob set ablaze two revenue touts. While four others were lucky as they managed to escape from the mob attack.
He said, “The revenue collectors, numbering about six were chasing the tipper driver over a certain amount they asked him to pay.
“As they were chasing him, some of them were dragging the steering with him. But unfortunately, in the process, the tipper driver lost control and rammed into passerby, killing him instantly.
“Immediately, the revenue collectors saw the damage they caused, they tried to flee the scene. But the Onitsha mob got angry and descended on them, setting ablaze two of them instantly. While four of them managed to escape.
“This is one death too many that has been going on in Anambra in the last two years. The person whom the tipper driver rammed into is known.
“We cannot continue like this anymore. These Revenue touts of the State Government have killed more Ndi Anambra than non-state actors.
However, The Nation Saturday reports that a government official stated that the agents were not government agents. Rather, those people extorting the government.
“Soludo is working for the good of the State but, unfortunately, the opposition has been looking for avenues to give him bad names,” The Nation reports.
The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, have confirmed the incident.
Ikenga, however noted that the police have brought the situation under control.
He said, “Anambra police responded swiftly on the receipt of the fatal accident that happened in that area.
“We are already working with the relevant authorities to ascertain what happened. And to find an amicable solution to such, especially on future occurrences,” Ikenga said.
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