TASK FORCE set up by the Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, to combat the activities of illegal taxation in the state has arrested 11 persons for extorting unsuspecting tax payers.
The suspects, who have since been handed over to the police, were arrested for various offences ranging from extortion to mounting of illegal tax points.
The arrest of the illegal road block operators in the state may have been triggered by the State Security Council meeting that was presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom last Monday.
Recall that the Governor told newsmen after the meeting that the SSC “resolved to strictly enforce the ban on illegal roadblocks in the state.
“Security operatives will be given full backing to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found illegally blocking a road to extort money from people under the guise of revenue collection and a task force is to be set up on illegal roadblocks,” the governor stated.
However, a statement signed by the BIRS Media Consultant, Terkula Ati and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday, said the operators were arrested in a sting operation carried out by the taskforce across Makurdi, Tarka and Gwer-East Local Government Areas of the state.
The suspects include Joseph Agena, John Under, Jacob Iorkyase, James Ieren and Dickson Terkor.
Others are Bem Akaaka, Dewua Ayo, Orngu Ahungwa, Kpandev Ijirgba, Sunday Atim, and Aondoakura Iorgbidye.
Ati further warned against mounting of illegal tax points, insisting that BIRS would not rest on its oars in the fight to sanitise the Benue tax environment.
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