Okpebholo unleashes anti-cultism, kidnapping taskforces on sacked revenue collectors, arrest scores

Following the banning of the non-state actors from the collection of taxes and levies for the Edo state government, Governor Monday Okpebholo has mandated taskforces on anti-cultism, kidnappings and others to foresee the enforcement of the ban.

The governor had on Tuesday in a statement signed by Umar Musa Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government, announced the banning of Atalakpa Recovery Concept Limited, a private consultant engaged by the government to enforce taxes payment compliance.

The government also banned the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel from collecting taxes, levies on behalf of the government.

According to the Governor, these unions, and the private consultant firm, Atalakpa, are not authorised to collect any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in Edo State.

The Atalakpa Recovery Concept is owned by the Edo State youth leader of the All Progressives Congress, RTEAN, ANNEWAT, Drivers on Wheel and NURTW are all headed by Chieftains of the party in the state.

Okpebholo attributed reasons for the banning to include the alleged violation of the conditions of engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.

He added that in the case of Atalakpa Recovery Concept Limited, a private consultant earlier engaged to enforce compliance, there were credible reports that the firm and its workers have become complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate.

He said by so doing the firm betrayed the trust reposed in it by the State.

The governor who said the banning was with immediate effect, opined that the State government considered their actions as acts of economic sabotage, social oppression, and a direct affront to law and order.

He averred that the era of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort drivers and road users in the name of revenue collection is over.

“The Edo State Government has observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organisations under various guises across the state.

“It has become clear that some of these groups, previously given limited authorisation to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under clearly defined terms, have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation,” he said.

While positing that all activities of the aforementioned unions are suspended indefinitely, he, however, added that the Commissioner of Police in the State and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating the directives.

“No individual or group under any of these unions is permitted to collect any form of payment from motorists or road users.

“All motorists, drivers, and road users are strongly advised not to pay any cash or comply with any form of illegal levy imposed by these banned entities.

“Reports of any such illegal activity should be forwarded immediately to the Edo State Special Taskforce, coordinated by SP Michael Anetor.

“Edo State Government remains committed to sanitising the revenue system and protecting its citizens from unlawful exploitation.

“Let this serve as a final warning to all parties engaged in or considering such illegal activities. The full weight of the law will be brought upon you,” he stated.

To ensure the full enforcement of the directives, the governor mandated Michael Anetor, the coordinator of the State Special Taskforce, a Superintendent of Police to take up the responsibility.

Speaking further on the state government’s order, the Secretary to the State Government, assured that the state governor remains committed to sanitising the revenue system and protecting the people of Edo State from oppression and economic exploitation.

He disclosed that the Governor has directed all State Task Force members, including the Anti-Cultism Taskforce and others, to collaborate in enforcing the ban until the system is fully cleansed of illegal practices.

“This administration will not tolerate oppression or the exploitation of our people. We urge all citizens, especially market women, drivers, and traders, to report any unauthorised revenue collection through the designated helpline.

“The Governor means well for the people and wants a fair and just system. The Governor is a responsible and proactive leader. As soon as negative reports reached him about the activities of these unions, he acted swiftly by suspending their operations.

“The Government had earlier lifted a temporary suspension on some of these unions, permitting them to operate under limited authorisation and strict collaboration with EIRS, with the clear directive that no cash collections were allowed. Unfortunately, these directives were disregarded.

“The only agency now authorized to collect Government revenue is the EIRS, working in coordination with Local Government authorities and designated agents using Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals. No cash is to be collected under any circumstance,” he added.

The SSG, however, added that no fewer than 10 defaulters had been arrested while still engaged in illegal activities, including one who allegedly assaulted a driver for resisting extortion.

He said the arrest will serve as a deterrent to the defaulters as they are currently in police custody and that they will be charged in court within the next 24 to 72 hours.

He said the suspects were arrested in different locations with the Benin metropolis such as Oka Market at Upper Sakponba, Sapele Road, Ring Road, Airport Road, and Oba Market.

He alleged that the suspects were found collecting cash from traders and road users despite the statewide ban.