By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A revenue collector has been stoned to death in Agulu community, Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, sparking protests by youths of the community, who took to the streets on Saturday to register their displeasure over the barbaric act.

The revenue collector, Peter Uduekwelu, was said to have been stoned to death by touts engaged by the Anambra State Government to collect revenue in Agulu.

Speaking to journalists, one of the leaders of the protest said: “We are inside Afor Agulu market protesting the killing of our brother who was killed by touts.

“They call them revenue collectors. They stoned the man to death. So we are protesting. We don’t want them again in Agulu. This land forbids these touts. They are only good at killing our people. We can’t accept that anymore.”

Meanwhile, the community and family of the deceased has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police Aderemi Adeoye and the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo-led State Government.

In the petition signed by Chief Emeka Nduakpo Chairman Nneogidi Village Agulu, Mr. Tony Okoye, Chairman Umu-ufali Family Nocogidi Village Agalu and Mr. Uchenna Uduekwelu, father of the murdered revenue collector, they called on the authorities to apprehend and prosecute the culprits whom they identified as Akpata, Opobo and Mr Owo of Umuowelle village in Agulu.

The petitioners disclosed that after Peter Uduekwelu was attacked, “he was rushed to a health center located at Amatutu Agulu but upon getting to the Aforesaid Health center, he was rejected as his health condition was very critical due to the injury he sustained on his head.

“The aged man was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Adazi where he was admitted and managed for few hours before he was transferred to Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi on the 28th September, 2023. Mr Peter Uduekwelu was admitted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi from 28th September 2023 till 4th October 2023 when he eventually died from the severe injury he sustained on his head.”

Continuing, the petition said: “Sir, it is pertinent to mention here that the suspects, despite committing a capital offence of murder, were seen boasting that they cannot be prosecuted by any law enforcement agency as they dine and wine with top officers of the Nigerian Police Force. The Subscriber of Mobile Number 08136420862 (a.k.a Akpata) is a member of Vigilante Neni Town and has access to guns. He threatened our client’s family members that he will use his gun to assassinate whoever reports this case of murder to any law enforcement agency.

“Sir, in view of the above background, we are constrained to turn to your esteem office to find succor to the ordeal the suspects have put our clients into. We call on you to beam your search light into this matter, to ensure that the suspects are prosecuted accordingly for conspiracy, murder and threat to life of late Mr. Peter Uduekwelu of Nneogidi Village, Agulu in Anaocha L.G.A of Anambra State present this petition to you for passionate and swift action against the Subscriber of Mobile Number 08136420862 (a.k.a Akpata), the Subscriber of Mobile Number 07039450594 (a.k.a Opopo) and Mr. Owo (a.k.a Ite-Owo) of Umuowelle Village Agulu, Anaocha L.G.A, Anambra State.

“On the 27th Day of September 2023, our clients father Mr. Peter Uduekwelu entered a public transport to Afo Agulu to buy food items. On his way back, he boarded another public transport. On getting to Amatutu Hall in Agulu, the Bus vehicle our clients’ father boarded was intercepted by the Subscriber of Mobile Number 08136420862 (a.k.a Akpata), the Subscriber of Mobile Number 07039450594 (a.k.a Opopo), Mr. Owo (a.k.a Ite-Owo) and others at large.

“The driver of the said Bus wanted to evade the culprits attack as he engaged his gear and was moving backward. Mr. Owo (a.k.a Ite-Owo) being the Boss of the agbaro boys ordered his men to throw stones at the driver who was already on motion. Opopo picked up a heavy stone, targeted the driver and threw the stone but unfortunately the stone hit our clients aged father Mr. Peter Uduekwelu on the head. Mr Peter Uduekwelu started bleeding heavily at the head immediately.

“He was rushed to a health center located at Amatutu Agulu but upon getting to the Aforesaid Health center, he was rejected as his health condition was very critical due to the injury he sustained on his head.

“The aged man was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Adazi where he was admitted and managed for few hours before he was transferred to Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi on the 28th September, 2023. The aged father or our client Mr Peter Uduekwelu was admitted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi from 28th September 2023 till 4th October 2023 when he eventually died from the severe injury he sustained on his head.

“Sir, it is pertinent to mention here that the suspects, despite committing a capital offence of murder, were seen boasting that they cannot be prosecuted by any law enforcement agency as they dine and wine with top officers of the Nigerian Police Force. The Subscriber of Mobile Number 08136420862 (a.k.a Akpata) is a member of Vigilante Neni Town and has access to guns. He threatened our client’s family members that he will use his gun to assassinate whoever reports this case of murder to any law enforcement agency.

“Sir, in view of the above background, we are constrained to turn to your esteem office to find succor to the ordeal the suspects have put our clients into. We call on you to beam your search light into this matter, to ensure that the suspects are prosecuted accordingly for conspiracy, murder and threat to life.

“We are confident that your esteemed office is the most qualified to put the suspects in the right position of the law, hence this petition. In anticipation of your prompt consideration of this petition, be assured of our warm regards.”

News Express reports that the Anambra State Government had recently dismissed two revenue officers who allegedly molested a motorist by dragging him down from his vehicle and driving it to an unknown destination.

Their dismissal followed a viral video where the officers were seen dragging the motorist out of his vehicle and driving away in the same vehicle.

The two officers from the Unified Hybrid Enforcement Team were acting on behalf of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service.

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