An irate mob on Friday, November 22, set ablaze two men believed to be revenue collectors working with the Anambra State government.
The gruesome incident occurred at Old Market Road along Venn Road by Egerton in Onitsha, Anambra State, following the death of an innocent bystander.
The bystander was killed instantly when a tipper driver, reportedly being queried by the revenue collectors, lost control of his vehicle and rammed into the victim.
Witnesses claimed the revenue agents had been dragging the steering of the vehicle with the driver, leading to the tragic accident.
A chilling video circulating online shows the mob beating two of the revenue agents before setting them ablaze. A man recording the scene narrated, “There was chaos in Onitsha this morning as angry mob set ablaze two revenue touts, while four others were lucky as they managed to escape.
“The revenue collectors, numbering about six, were chasing the tipper driver over a certain amount they asked him to pay. As they were chasing him, some of them were dragging the steering with him, but unfortunately, in the process, the tipper driver lost control and rammed into a passer-by, killing him instantly.
“Immediately, the revenue collectors saw the damage they caused, they tried to flee the scene, but Onitsha mob got angry and descended on them, setting ablaze two of them instantly while four managed to escape.
“This is one death too many that has been going on in Anambra in the last two years. The person who the tipper driver rammed into is a known person. We cannot continue like this anymore. These revenue touts of the state government have killed more Ndi Anambra than non-state actors.”
Another eyewitness, a trader, corroborated the account, stating, “Onitsha was hot this morning at Egerton by Old Market Road. Revenue men were dragging steering with a tipper driver because he refused to give them bribe and in the process, the vehicle ran over an innocent man. Then seeing the result of their stupid action, they tried to run away. But the angry people chased and caught two of them.”
Videos showing the burnt remains of the revenue collectors have since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
The Anambra State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and noted that the police responded swiftly to restore order.
He said, “Anambra Police responded swiftly on the receipt of the fatal accident that happened within that area. We are already working with the relevant authorities to ascertain what happened and find an amicable solution to such, especially on future occurrences. I will get back to you as soon as I get more facts on the incident, please.”