The Anambra State Ministry of Trade and Commerce in partnership with security agents has arrested more illegal revenue collectors in the state.

Areas covered during the raid include, Bridge Head, Okpoko junction, Owerri road and other parts of Onitsha.

The Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Christian Madubuko, disclosed that the alleged illegal revenue collectors after their arrest were taken to the Jerome Udoji Secretariat in Awka for interrogation and possible prosecution.

He regretted that the state is losing huge revenue to the illegal revenue collectors as well as relocation of businesses to other states due to such illegal activities.

The commissioner said that so far seventy five suspects have been arrested since the operation to end illegal revenue collection started in state.

He said that those arrested will be arraigned before the court noting that it has become a habit by the illegal revenue collectors to forge signatures of government authorities to give cover to their illegal act.

One of the suspects, Mr. Ikechukwu Okoye, who’s road maintenance ticket has Anambra State Government boldly written on it said that he was collecting the ticket for a particular individual adding that he was unaware of the illegality.

“I didn’t know it was illegal as I always hand over proceeds made from the ticket to the man at the end of the day,” he said.

Update news