Anambra State was thrown into chaos on Friday when an enraged mob set fire to two revenue collectors after their actions led to a tragic accident that claimed the life of a bystander. The incident unfolded at the Old Market Road along Venn Road by Egerton Bus Stop in Onitsha, causing panic and gridlock in the area.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the two unidentified revenue collectors, working for the Anambra State Government, were pursuing a tipper driver over unpaid dues. In the process, they reportedly attempted to seize control of the vehicle by dragging its steering wheel. This reckless action caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the tipper ramming into a passerby, killing him on the spot.

According to a source at the scene, “The revenue collectors, about six in number, were chasing the tipper driver over payment. Some of them were struggling with the steering, and this led to the driver hitting a pedestrian. Immediately after the accident, the collectors tried to flee, but the angry mob caught two of them and set them ablaze, while four others managed to escape.”

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Another eyewitness, a trader near Egerton Bus Stop, described the atmosphere as tense. “They were dragging the steering with the driver, forcing him to hit an innocent man. After seeing the tragedy they caused, they tried to run, but the people were furious and caught two of them. Onitsha was like a battlefield this morning.”

Videos of the incident, showing the charred remains of the collectors, have since gone viral on social media, fueling public outrage over what many described as the dangerous practices of revenue collectors in the state.

The Chairman of the Tipper Drivers Association, Ebuka Unekwe, condemned the tragic incident, highlighting the long-standing grievances between tipper drivers and revenue collectors. “These touts have become a menace in the last two years. Their actions have cost too many lives. This must stop,” Unekwe stated.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, assured the public that the police acted swiftly to restore calm in the area. “We have responded to the fatal accident and are working with relevant authorities to determine what happened and prevent future occurrences,” Ikenga said.