By Uzo Ugwunze
The Director, Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), Mr. Chukwuebuka Onwuemene yesterday joined a Joint Taskforce Patrol of his men and Anambra Vigilante Services (AVS) as they resumed patrol at flash points across various communities in Anambra State warning every tout or illegal revenue collector to leave Anambra roads or face unpalatable consequences.
Addressing journalists at Onitsha shortly after the joint patrol which lasted almost the whole day, Onwuemene insisted that there were no ‘sacred cows’ allowed by SASA to continue touting or illegal revenue collection but there are Government licensed Revenue Agents which could be mistaken as touts in the eyes of the public.
He dismissed rumors that SASA have been compromised and selectively targets certain groups while allowing others to continue illegal activities.
According to Onwuemene, Our job is to stop the collection of illegal revenue in Anambra State, not to stop all revenue collections.
“We are only targeting those collecting illegal revenue. The term is ‘illegal revenue collectors’. That doesn’t mean all collections happening on the roads are illegal. We have those officially licensed by Government to collect revenue” said Onwuemene.
“Please verify whether individuals seen collecting levies are operating legally before jumping to conclusions. If you identify anyone collecting revenue illegally, report it to us. We will take swift action,” he assured.
Addressing concerns about the alleged brutality or use of Aka Odo, Onwuemene defended the agency’s actions, insisting that any enforcement measures taken were justified.
“We don’t use Aka Odo unlawfully. We don’t arrest people randomly or go to their houses without cause. Most of those who claim to be victims of brutality have questionable records. If their full history of abuse against innocent people were made public, the public would be shocked and horrified.
“There is no perfect way to serve the public. I see SASA as a strong tree standing in the road side—anyone passing by will try to strike it with a knife. But we are operating strictly within our mandate.” he claimed
However, after a parade inspection of the SASA squad at the Waterworks office Onitsha, the Joint patrol team convoy accompanied by the SASA Director plied through Upper Iweka axis, Onitsha Bridge head, Uga junction/ Industrial layout Ogbaru, Okpoko metropolis, New Tarzan Onitsha -Oweri express way, Idemili bypass, Oba junction, Nellys to Afor Uzo market roads, Obosi community down to Nkpor Junction, Nkpor Flyover Enugu Onitsha express way, to Tarzan junction, Building materials/site down to Borromeo Roundabout, Savoy junction among others sending warning signal for illegal revenue collectors to give way or bear the brunt or face the consequences.