The Benue State Internal Revenue Services (BIRS) has successfully apprehended four illegal tax collectors in the state capital of Makurdi. Working in collaboration with the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, the agency carried out the arrests.
According to Jacinta Bernard, BIRS’s Media Officer, the four suspects were caught extorting money from minor vendors at Lafia Park on Makurdi’s North Bank. The individuals had posed as members of the Makurdi Local Government Area Market Committee, a committee responsible for collecting fees from parks and markets.
However, the suspects’ claims were promptly debunked after a phone call to James Dwem, the caretaker chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area. Dwem denied any knowledge or involvement in their activities, confirming that the suspects were acting independently.
Bernard stressed that the agency was unaware of such operations in the local government region, making it clear that the suspects were operating outside the bounds of the law. She emphasized BIRS’s zero tolerance policy towards criminality and vowed to continue cracking down on extortion, corruption, and illegal tax collection.
The detention of these four illegal tax collectors is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent practices in revenue collection. By employing the combined forces of the BIRS, the NHFSS, and the Nigeria Police Force, authorities are sending a strong message that illegal activities will not be tolerated.
The BIRS is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or activities related to tax collection. This serves as a reminder that residents should only make payments to authorized personnel or through official channels.
It is crucial for the BIRS to maintain its credibility and integrity, ensuring that taxpayers’ funds are appropriated correctly and lawfully. The agency seeks to foster a transparent and accountable tax system that benefits the entire state.
As the investigation into the four suspects continues, it is hoped that their arrest will lead to the dismantling of larger criminal networks involved in illegal tax collection. The BIRS remains committed to protecting both the public and the legitimate interests of the state.
With the aim of upholding the principles of justice and fairness, the BIRS will continue collaborating with relevant security agencies to ensure that illegal tax collectors are apprehended and brought to justice.
The apprehension of these individuals serves as a warning to others who may be engaged in similar unlawful activities. It reinforces the message that the BIRS will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who exploit innocent citizens and undermine the state’s revenue collection system.
The BIRS, with the support of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Services and the Nigeria Police Force, will persist in its efforts to maintain law and order, focusing on eradicating corruption and illegal practices in tax collection.
Through their dedication, the BIRS aims to foster an environment of trust, where taxpayers can have confidence in the integrity and fairness of the revenue collection process. Citizens can rest assured that the agency will continue working tirelessly to protect their rights and interests in all matters related to taxation.
