By Karen James
The Director of Operations for the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), Mr. Chukwuebuka Onwuemene, has clarified that the agency is not shielding any illegal revenue collectors, but is instead committed to removing all touts from the streets and dismantling unauthorized revenue networks across the state.
Speaking on Thursday during a press briefing in Onitsha, the commercial capital of Anambra State, Onwuemene described recent allegations of favoritism as unfounded and based on a misinterpretation of SASA’s operational focus.
“Our job is to stop the collection of illegal revenue in Anambra State, not to stop all revenue collection,” he said, explaining that certain individuals and groups are legally authorized by the government to collect levies.
“The term is illegal revenue collectors,” he emphasized. “That doesn’t mean all collections happening on the roads are illegal. People need to understand that distinction.”
Onwuemene encouraged the public to verify whether any individual collecting levies has legal backing before assuming wrongdoing. He rejected claims that SASA targets specific groups while giving others a free pass.
“If you identify anyone collecting revenue illegally, report it to us. We will take swift action,” he assured, reaffirming the agency’s stance on impartial enforcement.
Reacting to concerns about SASA’s enforcement tactics, particularly involving the operative known as Aka Odo, the director defended the squad’s conduct, insisting all actions are within the limits of the law.
“We don’t use Aka Odo unlawfully. We don’t arrest people randomly or go to their homes without reason,” he explained. “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.”
He likened the agency’s role to that of a tree on the roadside: “There is no perfect way to serve the public. I see SASA as a strong tree standing by the roadside—anyone passing by will try to strike it with a knife. But we are operating strictly within our mandate.”
When asked to evaluate his performance as SASA’s Director of Operations, Onwuemene was modest but confident: “I don’t think I should be the one to rate myself. The public should judge our performance. But if I must rate it, I would give us over 105 percent. I believe the organization has done excellently well in driving out illegal revenue collectors in the state.”
The press briefing followed a high-visibility operation in Onitsha, part of SASA’s intensified efforts to clean up the streets and restore public confidence in legitimate revenue systems sanctioned by the government.
