Anambra Cracks Down on Illegal Revenue Agents Exploiting Hawkers and Riders Despite Governor's Ban

 

Anambra State has intensified its efforts to sanitize its revenue system by arresting individuals accused of collecting illegal levies from commercial motorcycle riders, hawkers, and wheelbarrow pushers in Nnewi. The latest operation by the state’s Internal Revenue Service led to the apprehension of several suspects at the Okada White House in Nnewi North Local Government Area.

According to the Commander responsible for monitoring and enforcing the ban on illegal revenue collection, Comrade Nathan Obikwelu, the suspects were caught red-handed extorting money from vulnerable members of the community. This action, he stated, directly violates the directive issued by Governor Chukwuma Soludo which explicitly bans such collections across the state.

Standing before the press as the arrested individuals were paraded, Obikwelu described their actions as a form of economic oppression targeted at those struggling to earn a living. He noted that the practice has long inflicted unnecessary hardship on commercial operators who already face numerous challenges navigating their daily business. The Commander emphasized that the operation was not a one-off effort but part of a sustained campaign to root out all forms of unauthorized levies and street-level extortion.

Governor Soludo, since assuming office, has made it a priority to reform the state’s revenue system and eliminate leakages, particularly those perpetrated by unauthorized agents who prey on the informal sector. His administration’s ban on these collections is seen as a step toward protecting the livelihood of ordinary citizens and restoring order to the revenue landscape.

Comrade Obikwelu made it clear that those arrested will face legal consequences. Charging them in court, he explained, is aimed at sending a strong message to others engaged in similar activities. He urged anyone currently operating as an illegal revenue collector to desist immediately, warning that the law will catch up with them sooner or later.

Among the arrested suspects were two women identified as Agonye Florence and Chioma Oluchukwu. During interrogation, both claimed ignorance of the ban and insisted they were merely following instructions from one Mr. Azuka Agbodike, allegedly from Uruagu in Nnewi. They admitted to collecting money from street traders and motorcyclists but said they were unaware that the activity had been outlawed by the state government.

Their arrest highlights the complicated network of informal actors involved in illegal revenue collection in Anambra. For years, individuals and groups have exploited gaps in the system to extort money from those least able to afford it. Many of the collectors often operate under the guise of working for local authorities or community leaders, thereby creating confusion among traders and transport operators.

While the suspects claimed ignorance, Obikwelu dismissed their excuses, noting that widespread sensitization campaigns had been conducted across the state since the enforcement of the ban began. He stressed that ignorance of the law is no excuse and reiterated that anyone caught violating the state’s directives would be prosecuted without hesitation.

Residents and local observers have applauded the arrest, describing it as a welcome move that brings hope to small-scale entrepreneurs who are often harassed and extorted in the name of taxes and levies. For many, the government's decisive action signals a shift toward justice and accountability, particularly in the treatment of informal workers.

Street traders and commercial riders, who often operate on razor-thin margins, have long borne the brunt of illegal collections. Many say they are frequently forced to part with their hard-earned money or risk having their goods seized or being physically assaulted. The current clampdown offers them a rare sense of protection and legitimacy.

Calls are now growing louder for the state to go beyond arrests and dismantle the larger networks that support these operations. Advocacy groups and concerned citizens are urging the government to investigate those who sponsor and shield illegal collectors, some of whom are believed to be politically connected or part of entrenched local syndicates.

As the state gears up for further enforcement, the Soludo administration appears determined to build a revenue system that is fair, transparent, and free from exploitation. For now, the arrest of these illegal collectors serves not only as a warning but also as a promise that the era of impunity is drawing to a close in Anambra.

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