A mob in Onitsha, Anambra State, has set two men on fire on Friday, accusing them of causing a fatal accident that claimed the life of a passerby.
The victims were reportedly revenue collectors working with the Anambra State government.
The incident occurred at Old Market Road near Venn Road by Egerton, where a tipper driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle and struck a bystander after the revenue agents reportedly dragged the steering wheel during a confrontation. The bystander died instantly.
A widely circulated video shows the mob assaulting two of the agents with various objects before setting them ablaze. According to a witness who recorded the incident, “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 witness added, “The revenue collectors, numbering about six, were chasing the tipper driver over a certain amount they asked him to pay. Some of them were dragging the steering with him, but unfortunately, the tipper driver lost control and rammed into a passerby, killing him instantly. The angry mob caught two of the agents and set them ablaze, while four others managed to flee.”
Another source, a trader, corroborated the account, saying, “Revenue men were dragging the steering with a tipper driver because he refused to give them bribe, and in the process, the vehicle ran over an innocent man. Seeing the result of their actions, they tried to escape, but the mob caught and burned two of them.”
The video of the charred remains of the victims has been widely shared on social media, sparking outrage and debate about the actions of revenue agents in the state.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident. Police spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated, “Anambra Police responded swiftly on receipt of the fatal accident report. We are already working with the relevant authorities to ascertain what happened and find an amicable solution to such incidents, especially to prevent future occurrences. I will provide further updates once more facts are available.”
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between residents and revenue collectors in Anambra State, with calls for the government to address the conduct of its agents and ensure public safety.