The Imo State Government has arrested a man for impersonating multiple state agencies and engaging in unauthorized revenue collection across Owerri. The suspect, from Ebonyi State, was apprehended by the state’s Compliance and Monitoring Team while fraudulently issuing fake revenue tickets.
According to Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Monitoring and Compliance, the man falsely posed as a representative of government bodies such as the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), and the Waste Management Agency.
The suspect reportedly created an organized network of extortion and operated around key areas including Imo State University junction, Orji flyover, and the Akwakuma axis. He also illegally painted commercial buses, known locally as “Bus Imo,” using unauthorized colors and symbols to deceive drivers and traders into paying fraudulent levies. This arrest aligns with Governor Uzodinma’s administration’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activity and commitment to cleaning up government processes.
Residents and business owners have been advised to remain vigilant and verify the credentials of anyone claiming to act on behalf of the government. Although the suspect has been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution, official confirmation from the police command could not be obtained at the time of reporting, as the spokesperson’s phone line was unreachable.
