The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has taken into custody five individuals accused of unlawfully collecting levies from commercial tricycle operators in Nnewi.
Those arrested were identified as Edwin Okonkwo, Sunny Obasi, Christian Oziri, Christian Chinedu, and Nnamdi Nworie. They were reportedly apprehended at different points in the city while demanding between ₦300 and ₦500 from tricycle riders.
While addressing journalists during the parade of the suspects in Awka on Saturday, the Special Commander of AIRS, Nathan Obikwelu, said the arrests were carried out in compliance with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive to clamp down on illegal revenue collection across Anambra State.
Obikwelu explained that the suspects breached state regulations that outlaw unauthorized levies imposed on tricycle riders and commercial transport operators. He added that the state government views such practices as unacceptable and is determined to bring offenders to justice.
According to him, the suspects will be arraigned in court and remanded as part of efforts to discourage similar activities in the state. He stressed that the government would continue to enforce the law strictly to protect transport workers from extortion.
The development follows a recent operation by AIRS officials in Onitsha, where four other individuals were arrested for allegedly collecting illegal fees ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦2,000 from tricycle operators near the Army Gate area.
The Anambra State Government has restated its resolve to eliminate illegal levies and warned that anyone found engaging in unauthorized revenue collection will face prosecution.
