Tensions escalated in Onitsha, Anambra state, as angry residents set two Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) agents ablaze after their actions allegedly caused the death of a bystander.
The incident occurred over the weekend at Old Market Road, near Venn Road by Egerton.
According to eyewitnesses, the tragedy unfolded when the agents reportedly struggled with a tipper driver over his vehicle’s steering.
The driver lost control, resulting in the vehicle hitting and killing an innocent bystander on the spot.
Residents, including tricycle operators, prevented the agents from fleeing the scene and took matters into their own hands, beating the agents with various objects before setting them on fire.
The confrontation highlights growing frustration among residents over the conduct of revenue agents in the state, whom they accuse of using extreme and sometimes violent methods to enforce compliance.
The Anambra state police command, through its spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.
According to one of the eyewitnesses: “There was chaos in Onitsha this morning as angry mob set ablaze two revenue touts, while four others were lucky as they managed to escape.
“The revenue collectors, numbering about six were chasing the tipper driver over a certain amount they asked him to pay.
“As they were chasing him, some of them were dragging the steering with him, but unfortunately, in the process, the tipper driver lost control and rammed into passers-by, killing him instantly.
“Immediately, the revenue collectors saw the damage they caused, they tried to flee the scene, but the Onitsha mob got angry and descended on them, setting ablaze two of them instantly while four of them managed to escape.
“This is one death too many that has been going on in Anambra in the last two years. The person whom the tipper driver rammed into is known.
“We cannot continue like this anymore. These Revenue touts of the state government have killed more Ndi Anambra than non-state actors.
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A government official who did not want to be quoted, told The Nation Saturday that they were not government agents, rather, those people extorting the government
“Soludo is working for the good of the state but, unfortunately, the opposition has been looking for avenues to give him bad names.”
The police PPRO, Ikenga said the police have brought the situation under control.
“Anambra police responded swiftly on the receipt of the fatal accident that happened in that area.
“We are already working with the relevant authorities to ascertain what happened and finding an amicable solution to such especially on future occurrences,” Ikenga said
