The two touts/illegal revenue collectors being tortured by vigilante group before they were handed over to Ocha Brigade
Anambra: 2 touts arrested, beaten for returning to duty post
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
Atleast two daredevil touts/illegal revenue collectors who have been terrorising residents, traders and road users within Sokoto and Haruna roads' axis, adjascent to Onitsha Main market, Anambra State, were weekend arrested by local vigilante operatives while extorting money from traders who went to make purchases at the market.
Anukenyi, the Chairman of Haruna Street, torturing the two touts
It was gathered that the touts/illegal revenue collectors returned to their duty posts as the focus of the State Government that sacked them from the State is on the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
The two touts
The touts were said to have extorted scores of Innocent victims before the local vigilante group, on a tip off, stormed the scene where they were freely operating and arrested two of them while others took to their heels on sighting the security operatives.
The chairman of the local vigilante group, Chief Emmanuel Idoko, Anukenyi, told our correspondent that they were caught while extorting traders who were transporting their goods to their different destinations.
"We got the information that they were extorting traders who went to make purchases at the Onitsha Main market and were transporting their goods to their destinations. We told them earlier that they should vacate this place since the State Government has sacked them.
"The Governor said it is zero tolerance for touting and illegal revenue collection but holigans keep on terrorising traders and other road users. They are the people that also rob unsuspecting general public. Like I was asking them, they don't have any tangible means of livelihood.
Anukenyi who is also the chairman of Haruna street traders' Association, hinted further that, "We don't have alternative than to hand them over to the Ocha Brigade for necessary action because they have continued to terrorise the people despite their sack by the State Government. Governor Soludo has reiterated that it is zero tolerance for touting," he stated.
Also reacting, the chairman of Sokoto Street market, Hon. Emeka Mbachu, Isimili N' Mbaukwu, said that they still return to their duty posts after they were warned not to continue in their illegal business by the State Government.
"There are still others we will storm at their duty posts on Wednesday or there about, we must stop this rubish, they are about 20 in number at the place we will storm. They are damaging our image, so we will not allow them to continue to do that.
"They can now be spotted in different places where they are extorting the people. Governor Soludo has asked those that are not doing anything to come and join in the 'One youth two skills initiative, that will later make one rich," he revealed.