At least two revenue collectors from the Anambra State government, whose identities have not yet been revealed, were tragically set ablaze by an angry mob in the Venn Road area, near Egerton Bus Stop, Onitsha.
The incident occurred after a fatal accident involving a tipper truck, which was allegedly caused by the actions of the revenue collectors. The tragic sequence of events unfolded when the revenue collectors, in pursuit of the driver of the tipper truck, were blamed for contributing to the driver’s loss of control, which led to the death of an innocent bystander.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident began when a group of six revenue collectors, including the two who were later killed, chased after a tipper driver. According to some accounts, the revenue collectors were attempting to force the driver to make a payment, a common practice by such operatives in the region. During this confrontation, several of the collectors reportedly tried to grab the steering wheel of the tipper truck as it was being driven. In the ensuing chaos, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off its path and strike a pedestrian. The unfortunate victim, who was standing nearby, was killed instantly in the collision.
The fatal accident immediately sparked outrage in the community, especially among those who witnessed the incident. The fact that the victim was a well-known local figure only added to the intensity of the mob’s anger. Local residents, deeply upset by the loss of life, quickly turned on the revenue collectors, blaming them for causing the death. As the collectors tried to flee the scene in panic, the mob pursued them and caught two of the six individuals involved. In a brutal act of revenge, the mob set the two suspects on fire, leaving them to burn to death in the street. Four other collectors managed to escape, though the details of their whereabouts remain unclear.
An eyewitness to the horrific scene described the events as chaotic and deeply unsettling. “There was utter confusion,” the source said. “The revenue collectors had been chasing the tipper driver over a payment issue, but things went terribly wrong. Some of the collectors were grabbing the steering wheel, causing the driver to lose control. Tragically, he struck a passerby, killing him on the spot. The mob was furious when they realized what had happened. Two of the collectors were dragged from the scene and set on fire, while four others were lucky to escape unharmed.”
The anger directed at the revenue collectors was not only because of the fatal accident but also due to the growing frustration among local residents regarding the actions of such operatives. Many in the community expressed that the actions of these revenue collectors, often described as “touts,” had contributed to an increasing number of deaths and injuries over the past two years. One local resident, who witnessed the aftermath of the accident, said, “This is just one more unnecessary death in Anambra. The person killed by the truck was someone everyone knew. These revenue collectors, who have caused so much grief, are responsible for more deaths than the criminals we fear from outside the state. It’s become unbearable, and something needs to change.”
In response to the incident, the Anambra State Police Command quickly confirmed the events through their spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga. He stated that the police had responded swiftly to the fatal accident and that an investigation was underway. The police were working alongside other relevant authorities to piece together the details of the incident and to ensure that those responsible for the violence, including the members of the mob, would be held accountable. “The Anambra Police acted promptly upon receiving reports of the fatal accident in the area,” Ikenga said. “We are already working closely with other relevant authorities to investigate what transpired and to find an amicable solution that will prevent such tragic events from happening again in the future.”
This tragic incident has once again brought to light the ongoing issue of violent confrontations involving revenue collectors in Anambra State. The actions of these individuals, who often engage in aggressive tactics to collect payments, have raised serious concerns among residents. Many are now calling for greater oversight and regulation of such activities, citing that the unchecked power of these operatives leads to increasing tensions and, in some cases, deadly outcomes.
The growing anger and dissatisfaction with these revenue collectors highlight a larger issue within the state, where lawlessness, unchecked extortion, and violence have become regular features of life. Local communities are now demanding that authorities step in to address the problem, and that steps be taken to ensure the safety of ordinary citizens. The tragic loss of life in this incident has only intensified calls for accountability and reform.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what steps the Anambra State government and law enforcement agencies will take to address the growing public outcry. For now, the community remains in shock over the senseless death, and many are reflecting on the broader implications of a system that has allowed such incidents to occur repeatedly.
