Two trucks carrying palliatives were intercepted by hoodlums, who also assaulted the drivers during the incident, as revealed by the Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS.
During a press briefing in Makurdi, the acting chairman of BIRS, Emmanuel Agema, made this revelation to journalists.
Agema explained that the hoodlums impersonated revenue officials at a collection point near Aliade, Gwer East Local Government Area in Benue State. The drivers, who were transporting palliatives from Adamawa to the eastern part of the country, fell into the trap set up by the criminals.
He described how the hoodlums stopped the trucks, vandalized their windshields, and robbed one of the drivers of N200,000 at the illegal tax collection spot.
Two individuals have been apprehended and handed over to the Department of State Services, DSS, following the governor’s orders to conduct a thorough investigation into the illegal tax collection operations in the state.
Addressing the challenges faced since assuming the role of acting Chairman of BIRS, Agema spoke about the issue of illegal tax collectors. So far, 35 individuals have been prosecuted in court.
Upon taking office, revenue contracts were terminated to close revenue leakages, resulting in approximately a 90% reduction. The agency is now utilizing its workforce to enhance revenue generation for the state,” Agema further elaborated.