In a move to give a boost to the federal government policy on tackling economic sabotage and illegal taxation, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested 20 suspects for their involvement in unauthorised revenue collection and multiple taxation.
The arrests were made along the Enugu, Abakaliki, and Ebonyi axis.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who spoke on the arrest of the suspects on Wednesday, August 28, said that it marked a significant step towards eradicating illegal activities, promoting economic growth and free flow of industrial and agricultural produce on highways across the country.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the NPF operatives made the first breakthrough on Saturday, August 24, with the arrest of 14 suspects at the Abakaliki and Ebonyi boundary at 3am.
Additional arrest of five suspects was made at Abumeje, Ogoja, while the last suspect was nabbed at the Onuakpu area of Ebonyi.
The FPRO said that five of the suspects had been charged to court for economic sabotage and illegal and multiple taxation on highways, while others in the custody at Ebonyi Command would soon be arraigned in court.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to dismantling all illegal revenue collection points and illegal taxation, ensuring a safer and more secure environment for citizens most especially businessmen and women in Nigeria.
“This operation remains a good start for the police to escalate and enforce the presidential order on ease of doing business and the fight against illegal road blocks, revenue collection and multiple taxation on the higways with a view to promoting economic development in Nigeria,” ACP Adejobi stated.
