Chinedum Treasure
Anambra State government has warned those impersonating Agents of Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) Officers/Agents or extorting money from the public under any guise to desist forthwith.
Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu who gave the warning in a statement said anybody caught in the act would be promptly arrested and prosecuted.
The warning might not be unconnected to the recent tragic accident involving multiple vehicles that claimed no fewer than three lives allegedly caused by revenue agents at Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, had in a statement denied involvement of Government revenue officials in the crash, noting that the Governor has vowed to arrest and prosecute illegal agents found operating on the highways within the State.
Nwosu, on his part, maintained that only Unified Hybrid Enforcement Team (UHBET) or approved Agents of Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) were authorized to collect taxes, levies and tolls on behalf of the State Government.
“They must be in their official uniforms and/or present valid identification cards as they demand payments.
“Anything short of this, is extortion and the potential victim should take photograph of the operative(s) and call the following nos immediately: 07066727750, 09053234816, 08083066051, 08178070000
“Anybody caught impersonating AIRS Officers/Agents or extorting money from the public under any guise will be promptly arrested and prosecuted,” he added.