Onitsha, a bustling commercial community in Anambra State, was thrown into chaos on Friday when an angry mob took the law into their own hands, setting ablaze two yet-to-be-identified revenue collectors. Their crime? Allegedly causing a tragic accident that claimed the life of an innocent passerby.
Why it Matters
The incident unfolded at Old Market Road along Venn Road by Egerton Bus Stop. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific sequence of events. The revenue collectors, reportedly chasing a tipper driver over an unpaid fee, went as far as dragging the steering wheel of the moving vehicle. This reckless act led to the tipper veering off course and fatally hitting a passerby. The victim, described as a well-known figure in the area, died on the spot.
Chaos erupted as the reality of the tragedy dawned on the gathered crowd. “The revenue touts tried to flee the scene after causing the accident, but the angry mob caught two of them and set them on fire,” an eyewitness revealed. Four other collectors narrowly escaped the wrath of the crowd.
One witness expressed the pent-up frustration of the community, saying,
“This is one death too many. These revenue collectors have caused more harm to Ndi Anambra than any other threat. We cannot continue to live like this.”
Another source, a trader in the area, added, “It’s always the same story with these so-called revenue agents. They exploit drivers, and when things go wrong, they run. But not this time. People are fed up, and the mob made sure they paid for their actions.”
What They Are saying
The gruesome aftermath of the incident was captured in viral videos circulating on social media, showing the charred remains of the two revenue collectors. The Chairman of the association representing tipper drivers, Ebuka Unekwe, confirmed the longstanding tensions between drivers and the revenue collectors. “For the past two years, these collectors have been a nightmare for us. They harass and extort drivers daily. This tragic incident was bound to happen sooner or later,” Unekwe lamented.
The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident. Ikenga assured the public that the police responded swiftly to contain the situation and are working with relevant authorities to prevent a recurrence. “We are investigating the circumstances that led to this fatal accident and the subsequent mob action,” he stated.
Bottom Line
This is an issue of unchecked power, reckless governance, and a community pushed to its breaking point. In the end, both the loss of an innocent life and the brutal mob justice serve as an indictment of the state’s failure to maintain order and protect its citizens.
