By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The ongoing crackdown on illegal revenue collection in Anambra State has recorded another significant milestone, as the Special Anti-Toutism Squad Agency (SASA) successfully apprehended, arraigned, and secured the remand of three suspected touts accused of extorting money from traders and commercial operators in parts of the state.
The suspects, identified as Mr. Michael Uwaoma, Mr. Ndubuisi Aniukwu, and their alleged sponsor, Mr. Anthony Onyekwelu, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 2 sitting in Onitsha North Local Government Area. Following their court appearance, they were remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
Their arrest, it was gathered, followed a series of intelligence-led operations carried out by SASA operatives within Onitsha and its environs, as part of a broader enforcement strategy aimed at dismantling illegal revenue networks and restoring sanity in public spaces.
Providing further insight into the development, the Media Aide of SASA, Amb. Karen James, disclosed in a statement issued to newsmen that the suspects were apprehended in separate operations while actively extorting members of the public.
According to her, investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly engaged in the unlawful collection of money from traders and transport operators at strategic locations, including Mgbuka Obosi and Umusiome Junction in Nkpor, among other areas known for heavy commercial activities.
She explained that preliminary findings indicated a coordinated structure behind the illegal activities, adding that one of the suspects, Mr. Ndubuisi Aniukwu, allegedly operated under the directive of Mr. Anthony Onyekwelu, who reportedly imposed a daily remittance target on him. This revelation, she said, points to an organized network of illegal revenue collection, rather than isolated incidents.
Amb. James emphasized that the swift arraignment of the suspects shows the agency’s commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring that perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice without delay. She noted that the actions of SASA align with the state government’s broader agenda of sanitizing the revenue system and protecting legitimate economic activities.
It was further gathered that such illegal acts, which have long burdened traders and small-scale business owners, have been a focal point of concern for both the government and residents.
While the court granted the defendants bail, it further imposed stringent conditions, including a ₦100,000 bail bond, a ₦300,000 fine, and the provision of a verified Level 17 civil servant as surety, all measures seen as deliberate efforts to deter repeat offences and ensure accountability.
The case was, thereafter, adjourned to June 3, 2026, for further hearing, as the court continues to examine the details surrounding the allegations and the extent of the suspects’ involvement.
Reaffirming the agency’s zero-tolerance stance, the SASA spokesperson reiterated that illegal levies, harassment, and extortion of any kind will not be tolerated under any guise. She stressed that the agency remains resolute in its mission to restore order, promote lawful conduct, and create a safe and business-friendly environment across Anambra State.
She also called on members of the public, particularly traders and transport operators, to remain vigilant and report any incidents of illegal collection or intimidation to the appropriate authorities, assuring them of prompt response and protection.
