Mob Set Two Anambra Revenue Agents Ablaze over Man’s Death

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka 

An irate mob at the weekend set ablaze two men alleged to be touts collecting revenue for the Anambra State Government.

The victims were set ablaze for causing the death of an innocent passer-by at Old Market Road along Venn Road by Egerton in Onitsha, Anambra State.

According to eyewitnesses, as the revenue touts dragged the steering of a tipper with the driver, he lost control of his vehicle and rammed into the bystander, killing him instantly.

A gory video circulating on social media showed the mob beating two of the revenue agents with objects and setting them ablaze.

A man, who made the video recording of the incident said: “There was chaos in Onitsha this morning as an 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 wheel with him, but unfortunately, in the process, the tipper driver lost control and rammed into a passer-by, killing him instantly.

“Immediately, the revenue collectors saw the damage they had 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 State in the last two years. The person who 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,” he said.

Another source also said: “Onitsha was hot this morning at Egerton by Old Market Road. Revenue men were dragging steering with a tipper driver because he refused to give them a bribe and, in the process, the vehicle ran over an innocent man; then seeing the result of their stupid action, they tried to run away. But the angry people chased and caught two of them.”

The videos of the incident showing the burnt corpses of the revenue collectors have been making the rounds in social media to corroborate the story.

When contacted on the development, the Anambra State Police Command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development, saying the police have responded swiftly to bring the situation under control.

He said: “Anambra police responded swiftly on the receipt of the fatal accident that happened within that area.

“We are already working with the relevant authorities to ascertain what happened and find an amicable solution to such, especially on future occurrences. 

“I will get back to you as soon as I get more facts on the incident, please,” he added.