Several shops along the Abia Tower to Azikiwe Road junction in Umuahia were sealed on Monday by operatives of the Abia State Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS) over alleged non-payment of taxes.

 

The enforcement exercise took place in the early hours of the day, before many traders arrived at their business premises. Stranded shop owners were seen gathered outside their locked stores, some expressing frustration and others seeking ways to resolve the issue with the revenue agency.

 

One affected trader criticized the sealing approach, arguing it was not a fair or effective method of collecting taxes from business owners.

 

Notices posted on the sealed shops warned against reopening without proper authorization, stating that violators would face legal prosecution. The ABIRS cited a court order signed by His Worship I.C. Nnaji of the Umuahia North Magistrate Court as the legal backing for the operation.

 

Some shops were exempted from the sealing, reportedly because their owners had settled their tax obligations before the enforcement began.