Ikpeazu calls for immediate arrest of revenue agents involved in the death of tricycle passengers

Abia State Government has orders heads of security agencies in the state to ensure that they fished out those behind Tuesday’s ghastly accident in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state which claimed the life of a pregnant woman and other passengers onboard a commercial tricycle.

Recall that on Tuesday some revenue collectors believed to be working for Aba South Local Government while dragging the steering of a haulage bus with the driver caused a ghastly auto crash that led to the death of passengers of a commercial tricycle, including a pregnant woman while others were said to have been critically battling for survival in a government hospital in Aba.

Unconfirmed report that emerged on Wednesday has it that the said pregnant woman from Bende Local Government Area of the state lost her husband about a year ago.

A release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos has it that Ikpeazu demanded that the said agents should also be made to face the legal consequences of their actions.

The governor while directing security agencies in Aba to ensure that all interdiction points in the commercial city where such revenue agents use as their operational base including Osisioma roundabout, Aba Fire Service premises, railway junction (on Aba-Owerri Expressway) among other places where shut down with immediate effect.

Ikpeazu who also reinstated ban on the use of touts in collecting flying revenue in the state, urged security agencies in Umuahia, Aba and other parts of the state to arrest any individual or group operating in the state, stressing that only approved transport unions and uniformed officials of the state revenue service agency were authorized to “use humane and acceptable means to collect due revenue for the state.”

“Our sincere condolences go out to the family of the dead accident victim as we also wish the injured quick recovery. The state Commissioners for Transport, Health and the Chairmen of Aba South, Aba North and Obingwa local governments are hereby directed to identify and immediately visit the bereaved family as well as the injured in hospital. Every effort must be made to ensure that adequate medicare is provided to the injured at government’s expense,” the release concluded.

“The attention of the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has been drawn to reports of an incident involving revenue collectors chasing a vehicle and a tricycle operator which reportedly led to the loss of a life and injury to three others at the Waterside area of Aba yesterday.

The Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, wishes to direct security agencies in the state to fish out all those involved in causing the accident and bring them to justice without delay.

The ban on use of touts in collecting flying revenue in the state is hereby reinstated and security agents are to arrest any individual or group operating in the state, particularly within Aba and Umuahia as revenue touts. Only members of the approved transport unions and uniformed officials of the state revenue service agency are, henceforth, authorized to use humane and acceptable means to collect due revenue for the state.

All interdiction points at Aba, including the fire service premises, railway junction, Osisioma roundabout and others are hereby shut. Security agents should ensure immediate compliance and release of all vehicles parked within the premises used by revenue agents or touts.