Maduako igbokwe ,Onitsha
ONITSHA, Anambra – The convener of Recover Nigeria Project, Comrade Osita Obi, has stated how he escaped being murdered by illegal tax collectors in Awka ,Anambra state capital recently.
Osita who was speaking in Awka said his escape from the hands of those extorting motorcyclists in Awka was by God’s grace.
According to him, despite Prof. Charles Soludo ban on all forms of revenue collections that was not approved by the state government, these people are still extorting motorcyclists using cult groups to intimidate them.
He said that he had gathered motorcycle operators in Awka for awareness and to thank the governor for banning of the illegal revenue collection in Anambra at Ekwueme square when they descended on him and nearly killed him .
“I was at the Ekwueme square Awka, with the motorcycle operators to thank the governor for banning the illegal tax collections by some groups in the state. The motorcycle operators have been complaining about how some people have been extorting them heavily in the name of revenue collections.
“Before I could know what was happening some group of persons descended on me and they nearly killed me. It took the intervention of the police who were called by some of motorcycle operators to rescue me and I thanked God 11 of them were arrested ” he said.
He said he has been championing the cause to stop the extortion against the motorcycle operators in the state over the years, noting that extortionists have been bribing all kinds of persons including security operators in the state to enable them continue with the illegal activities .
Speaking on the incident ,spoke man for Anambra state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said that those arrested in connection with the incident have been cooperating with the police and they are giving useful information.
He said they have been naming some of the sponsors and those involved in the illegal tax collections in Awka and environs. He said they are now with police and that the case is seriously under investigation.
