Former Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA, and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Paul Ikonne, has raised the alarm over alleged extortion or traders in Ariaria and other major markets in Abia State.
Ikonne raised the alarm in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday by his spokesperson, Ujo Justice.
He accused the leadership of Ariaria and other major markets in the state of intimidation and unchecked harassment of traders.
According to him, Abia State government appointees have weaponized taxation, turning a lawful civic responsibility into a brutal tool of oppression.
He noted that traders are forced to pay an increased N36,000 levy, which pushes thousands of struggling ones into deeper economic misery.
“This is not governance; this is tyranny,” Prince Ikonne declared.
“I am worried that the present Abia state government has normalized the sealing of shops and properties, indiscriminate arrests, court summons, and humiliating treatment of Abians whose only crime is their inability to meet oppressive and inflated levies.
“The rate of molestation and intimidation by agents of this government is alarming, No democratic society should subject its citizens to such cruelty.”