Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Anambra Internal Revenue Service has arrested six individuals accused of illegally collecting revenue from commercial motorcycle operators at Oye Utuh in Nnewi South Local Government Area, intensifying the state government’s ongoing campaign against unauthorised tax collection. The arrests, confirmed by the AIRS Special Commander, Comrade Nathan Obikwelu, mark another step in what officials describe as a zero-tolerance approach to extortion and revenue racketeering targeting transport operators across the state.
According to the agency, the suspects were apprehended while allegedly collecting money from okada riders at the market without lawful authority. The activity contravenes an Anambra State Government directive prohibiting unauthorised individuals or groups from demanding levies from motorcycle riders, tricycle operators and commercial bus drivers. The ban, introduced as part of broader fiscal reforms, is aimed at protecting small-scale transport operators from exploitation and ensuring that all legitimate revenue flows directly into government coffers.
Comrade Obikwelu identified the arrested individuals as Christopher Obinna Mmadu, Paul Kenechukwu, Emeka Okoli, Livinus Ezulike, Nzube Nnoluka and Anayo Agu. He stated that following their apprehension, the suspects were arraigned before the Onitsha Revenue Court. The court subsequently ordered their remand at the Onitsha Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings. Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the accused were acting independently or as part of a broader network of illegal collectors operating in parts of the state.
The enforcement action reflects the Soludo administration’s sustained effort to streamline revenue collection and dismantle informal structures that have historically operated within markets, motor parks and transport hubs. Governor Chukwuma Soludo has repeatedly emphasised that only duly authorised government agents are permitted to collect levies, and that any form of parallel taxation undermines public trust and economic stability. The crackdown aligns with the state’s broader fiscal modernisation agenda, which includes digitisation of revenue systems and tighter monitoring of tax compliance.
Illegal revenue collection has long posed challenges in several Nigerian states, where informal groups often impose levies on commercial transport operators under various pretexts. In Anambra, such practices have been linked to harassment, intimidation and financial strain on operators already contending with rising fuel costs and economic pressures. Market associations and transport unions have previously raised concerns over multiple taxation and the proliferation of unauthorised collectors who claim affiliation with local authorities or security agencies.
Officials at AIRS argue that curbing illegal collections is not only a matter of revenue protection but also of public order. Comrade Obikwelu stated that the agency remains committed to enforcing the law without compromise, stressing that the directive from the governor is clear and unambiguous. He warned individuals engaged in such activities to desist and seek legitimate means of livelihood, noting that violators would face prosecution in accordance with the law. His remarks underscore a deliberate strategy to send a deterrent message across the state.
The arrest in Oye Utuh has drawn attention within Nnewi South, a commercial area known for its bustling markets and transport activity. Residents and traders in the community have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the enforcement as a necessary intervention to curb extortion, while others emphasise the need for transparency and fairness in the prosecution process. Transport operators, particularly okada riders, are among those most directly affected by unauthorised levies. Many have complained in the past of being compelled to pay multiple daily fees, sometimes to different groups, with little clarity on the legal basis for such payments.
Legal analysts note that the establishment of a Revenue Court in Onitsha reflects Anambra’s institutional approach to addressing fiscal infractions. The court is tasked with adjudicating cases involving tax evasion, illegal revenue collection and related offences. By remanding the suspects pending trial, the judicial process signals that the state intends to treat such cases with formal legal scrutiny rather than administrative warnings alone. Observers say the outcome of the proceedings could set a precedent for similar enforcement actions across other local government areas.
The Soludo administration has framed its fiscal reforms as part of a broader governance overhaul aimed at boosting internally generated revenue while fostering a business-friendly environment. By eliminating middlemen and informal collectors, authorities argue that the state can increase accountability and ensure that funds are channelled into infrastructure, social services and economic development initiatives. Critics, however, caution that enforcement measures must be balanced with community engagement to avoid alienating informal sector workers who often operate within complex local arrangements.
Security experts highlight that illegal revenue collection can, in some instances, be linked to organised networks that exploit gaps in regulation and enforcement. In dismantling such operations, coordination between revenue authorities, law enforcement agencies and community leaders is considered essential. AIRS officials have indicated that intelligence gathering and surveillance will continue in markets and transport corridors identified as high-risk zones for unauthorised collections.
The latest arrests also reflect a pattern of proactive enforcement actions by the revenue service in recent months. Authorities have carried out inspections and verification exercises aimed at distinguishing legitimate agents from impostors. Public awareness campaigns have been launched to educate transport operators on how to identify authorised collectors and report suspicious activities. By combining enforcement with sensitisation, the state seeks to reduce the prevalence of extortion while strengthening compliance mechanisms.
For the six suspects now remanded in custody, the legal process will determine culpability. Under Anambra State law, illegal revenue collection is a punishable offence that can attract fines, imprisonment or both, depending on the severity of the infraction and the court’s findings. Legal representatives for the accused have yet to issue public statements, and it remains to be seen how the defence will respond to the charges when formal hearings commence.
As the case proceeds, the incident at Oye Utuh stands as a test of Anambra’s commitment to reforming its revenue framework and safeguarding vulnerable operators from unauthorised levies. Whether the crackdown yields sustained behavioural change among would-be offenders will depend on consistent enforcement and public confidence in the legal process. For now, state officials maintain that the message is unequivocal: illegal revenue collection will not be tolerated, and those who defy the law will be held accountable.
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