Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Anambra, Nigeria — In a coordinated enforcement action this week, the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) publicly presented five individuals accused of engaging in illegal revenue collection in Nnewi, underscoring the state government’s intensified campaign against unlawful levies imposed on transport operators and other members of the public. The arrests, carried out in the commercial hub of Nnewi and subsequently paraded in the state capital of Awka, reflect ongoing efforts to enforce legal revenue‑collection frameworks and protect citizens and informal sector workers from extortion.
According to the AIRS Special Commander, Mr. Nathan Obikwelu, the suspects were apprehended while collecting money ranging from three hundred to five hundred naira from tricycle (keke) riders at several locations across Nnewi. The individuals — identified as Edwin Okonkwo, Sunny Obasi, Christian Oziri, Christian Chinedu and Nnamdi Nworie — were detained on allegations of contravening Anambra State law, which explicitly prohibits unauthorized revenue activities targeting tricycle riders and commercial bus operators. Obikwelu condemned the practice as “illegal and exploitative,” emphasising that the arrests align with directives from Governor Chukwuma Soludo to eradicate all unauthorized cash collections within the state’s jurisdiction.
During the presentation to journalists and enforcement officials in Awka, the suspects were visibly remanded in custody as authorities announced plans to institute formal charges against them in court. Obikwelu stated unequivocally that individuals found to be extorting money under the guise of revenue collection will face prosecution and possible imprisonment if convicted. The public naming of the suspects and detailed disclosure of their alleged actions signal a more assertive posture by AIRS and allied enforcement units in confronting a persistent problem that has long undermined the rule of law and consumer confidence in key urban centres across Anambra.
The arrests in Nnewi follow similar operations by AIRS and the state’s anti‑tout and anti‑illegal revenue task force, which in recent weeks apprehended multiple other individuals engaged in unauthorized levy collection in Onitsha and other commercial corridors. In one instance documented by national media, AIRS arrested four fake revenue agents in Onitsha who were allegedly demanding fees of over one thousand naira from tricycle operators, contravening the state’s regulatory framework. These parallel enforcement actions are consistent with Soludo’s policy stance that cash collections for purported government levies must be legally sanctioned, transparent and accountable.
The legal context for these actions stems from Anambra State legislation that vests exclusive authority for government revenue collection with designated agencies such as AIRS, and prohibits informal or unsanctioned groups or individuals from imposing and collecting fees from transport operators, traders and other informal sector participants. The state government has repeatedly reiterated that only official revenue processes, compliant with statutory requirements and subject to audit and oversight, are valid. Additionally, the state has called on citizens to report any suspected unauthorized revenue activity to the appropriate authorities for prompt investigation.
Observers note that unauthorized revenue collection has long been a source of contention throughout Nigeria’s urban and peri‑urban spaces, often leading to public frustration and economic inefficiency. In the commercial hub of Onitsha, for example, unauthorized revenue agents have historically been a significant burden on business owners and commuters, prompting prior government directives in past years to ban all road‑side collections. In some instances, the presence of illegal collectors has led to confrontations with motorists and traders, further complicating efforts to maintain public order and foster a secure business environment. These historical challenges contextualise the intensity of the current campaign in Anambra, where authorities are attempting to establish clearer boundaries for revenue generation and reduce opportunities for corruption and extortion.
Governor Soludo’s administration has signalled that enforcement is one component of a broader regulatory reform initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, institutional integrity and economic growth. By mandating that all revenue collection be digitised or otherwise formally documented — and by pairing that mandate with active enforcement — the state leadership seeks to modernise internal revenue systems and strengthen compliance across sectors. The approach reflects broader trends in Nigeria, where subnational governments increasingly prioritise efficiency in revenue mobilisation while seeking to eliminate predatory practices that distort market dynamics and discourage investment.
In the public reaction to the Nnewi arrests, some transport operators welcomed the action, expressing relief that authorities are taking steps to address practices that have detracted from their daily livelihoods. Tricycle riders and bus operators in Nnewi and neighbouring communities have long reported being stopped at informal collection points and coerced into paying unauthorized fees as a condition of operating; the recent arrests are seen by some as an affirmation of government commitment to uphold the rule of law. However, others caution that enforcement must be sustained and accompanied by clear public education and engagement initiatives to prevent reprisals or the emergence of new unauthorized groups seeking to exploit enforcement gaps.
Critics also emphasise the importance of due process in prosecuting those accused of illegal revenue collection. While there is broad consensus on the need to curb extortion and protect citizens, civil society organisations have urged that arrests be conducted in accordance with constitutional protections, and that prosecutions be transparent and fair. Such calls resonate with broader debates in Nigeria about balancing order and individual rights, particularly within informal economic sectors that employ millions of citizens but often operate outside formal regulatory frameworks.
Legal analysts note that successful prosecutions of unauthorized revenue collectors could serve as a deterrent, but only if the judiciary, enforcement agencies, and revenue authorities collaborate effectively. The potential for appeals, judicial review and procedural challenges means that authorities must build strong, evidence‑based cases grounded in statutory provisions. This underscores the need for law enforcement training, documentation standards, and community reporting mechanisms that ensure accountability and fairness.
The AIRS arrests in Nnewi represent a microcosm of the challenges Anambra State and other Nigerian states face in reconciling informal economic practices with formal governance requirements. As enforcement operations continue, the balance between protecting citizens from exploitation and safeguarding due process rights remains central to the state’s credibility and long‑term economic prospects.
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