No fewer than 70 suspects have been arrested for allegedly harassing, extorting and collecting illegal revenue from motorists in Onitsha, Anambra.
The state
government however promised to restore sanity in the psychy of motorists plying
the state and ensure legitimate taxes are collected.
The suspects, who operated mostly along Upper Iweka road and Head Bridge, were apprehended by a joint team of the Nigeria Police and officers of an Anambra Government agency, Ocha Brigade.
Narrating
their ordeal to newsmen in Onitsha, the motorists lamented that the hoodlums at
the Upper Iweka Axis of Onitsha harassed and forcefully extort them to pay
higher rate as tax for plying the state road.
On their
parts, the state coordinator, Anambra task force OCHAI BRIGADE, Kenneth Okonkwo
and a resident, reiterated the state governor’s commitment to rid Anambra of
hoodlums who extort innocent motorists by over taxing and carrying out illegal
tax collections in the state
Stating that
the team have been overwhelmed with series of petitions and complains from
citizens and motorists plying the state,
adding that the state would stop at nothing to sanitize Onitsha and its
environs of criminal activities.
Some
suspects who spoke to newsmen denied their involvement in tax collection, said
they were mistaken for real tax boys.
Track Up
The suspects
have been handed over to the Nigeria police force Onitsha division for
prosecution