Following the alarm raised by residents of Delta State over extortion and harassment by revenue task forces in the state, officers of the Delta State Task Force on Road Taxes and Revenue Leakages on Wednesday arrested some members of illegal revenue task forces extorting money from motorists.
The Coordinator of the state task force, Malachi Moye, disclosed that the clampdown became necessary as a result of the activities of the illegal revenue task forces.
He said, “The activities of these illegal task forces have become notorious, and are giving the state a bad image.
“The revenue collection in the state is the responsibility of the State Internal Revenue Service. Those desirous of becoming revenue agents should seek the approval of the Revenue Service before embarking on any form of revenue collection.
“Today in Sapele, Oghara and Koko axis (areas) of the state, we arrested some members of illegal revenue task forces who have been extorting money from motorists.
“Travelling along major highways in the state had become a nightmare on account of the activities of the illegal task forces.”
Moye warned those behind the illegal task forces to desist as the state government would bring the full weight of the law to bear on them.
He noted that several complaints of harassment of road users had reached the state government and that the illegal activities of these task forces must stop.
The task force coordinator stated that the operation would be extended to all parts of the state, stressing that those arrested would be charged to court within a few days.
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