Following Next Edition newspaper’s report exposing a high level of corruption and extortion of motorists by gangs on federal and state roads, Benue State government has continued to clamp down on illegal revenue collectors in the state.
The latest is the arrest of three persons at a suspended revenue inspection point in the state in the continuing efforts to sanitize the Tax administration in the state.
The Chairman Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Mr. Andrew Ayabam who disclosed this in a press statement signed by his information officer, Terfa Nyitor, said the gang was arrested by the special taskforce on illegal road blocks in collaboration with the Benue State Police command.
Our correspondent reports that the Board had announced the suspension of the Katsina Ala head bridge revenue inspection point due to the frequent violent incidents at the inspection point.
However, in defiance to the pronouncement, the culprits, Abugh Terkula, Ajiva Moses and Tsume Aondofa continued extorting members of the public at the same suspended Katsina Ala head bridge revenue inspection point.
Recall that Next Edition newsaper, after an investigation reported that over N5.8 billion is extorted annually from traders conveying goods from the far North to the country’s South-South and South-East states.
This prompted governments of Taraba and Benue States to initiate action to tackle the multi-billion naira extortion rings operating along federal highways in both states.
Ayabam, has therefore, further reiterated his resolve to sanitize tax administration in the state while also promising a continuous clamp down on all illegal tax activity.
