There was palpable tension in Onitsha, Anambra state on Friday, as irate mob set two Internally Generated Revenue officers ablaze after their actions caused the death of a bystander.
NewsBand understand that the incident occurred at Old Market Road, near Venn Road by Egerton.
It was gathered that some revenue collectors were allegedly dragging the steering wheel of a moving tipper with the driver in a bid to collect some money.
In the process, the tipper driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a bystander, who was crushed immediately.
Angered by the situation, residents, including tricycle operators, prevented the agents from eloping from the scene and took matters into their own hands, beating the agents with various objects before setting them on fire.
Meanwhile, the confrontation underscores the growing frustration among residents over the conduct of revenue agents in the state, whom they accuse of using extreme and sometimes violent measures to enforce compliance.
However, the spokesman of the command in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, when contacted confirmed the incident.
He said, “Anambra Police responded swiftly on the receipt of the fatal accident that happened in 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.”