In a decisive effort to bolster the Federal Government’s policy on enhancing the ease of doing business and to combat economic sabotage and unauthorized taxation, the police have detained 20 individuals involved in illicit revenue collection and excessive taxation along the Enugu and Abakaliki-Ebonyi highways.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, announced this development in a statement on Wednesday. He highlighted that these arrests represent a significant advance towards eradicating illegal activities, fostering economic growth, and facilitating the smooth transport of industrial and agricultural goods across the nation’s highways.
The Nigeria Police Force achieved a major breakthrough on August 24, 2024, with the apprehension of 14 suspects at the Abakaliki-Ebonyi boundary in the early hours. Subsequent operations led to the arrest of five additional suspects in Abumeje and Ogoja, and a final suspect was detained in the Onuakpu area of Ebonyi. The five individuals from Abumeje and Ogoja face charges related to economic sabotage and unauthorized taxation, while the remaining suspects, currently held at the Ebonyi Command, will soon be brought before the court.
Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to dismantling all illegal revenue collection points and eliminating unauthorized taxation. This effort aims to create a safer and more secure environment for the nation’s business community.
The operation is seen as a significant initial step in enforcing the Presidential directive on improving the ease of doing business and tackling illegal roadblocks, revenue collection, and excessive taxation on highways, with the broader goal of advancing economic development in Nigeria.