Edo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike
Operatives of Edo police command have apprehended 11 revenue collectors alleged to have been blocking the Auchi/Okpella-Okene federal highway in order to forcefully collect illegal revenue from lorry drivers plying the road.
The suspects were caught in the act about 10 a.m last Sunday while the N331, 500.00 cash suspected to be proceeds of their operation, was recovered on the spot.
Two Iron tyre rippers, three reflective jackets with the inscription SAFETY SCHEME, receipts with headings HEAVY DUTY HAULAGE TRANSPORTATION safety and security in partnership with Federal Government Haulage (PPP), Edo State Branch, among others were said to have been exhibits also recovered from the suspects.
One of their victims who identified himself as Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru, the National President for the Amalgamated Union for Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria alleged the suspects forcefully collect between N9, 000.00 and N10, 000.00 from each truck plying that road.
He maintained that over nine heavy duty truck tyres have been punctured by the suspects who resort to molestation of any driver who fail to comply with them.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations at the State police command headquarters in Benin City DCP Kenneth Ebrison stated that men of the command swooped on the suspects as part of efforts to sanitize federal highway.
DCP Ebrison stated that the action of the suspects was at variance with the federal government directive against collection of tolls on the federal highway.
He further revealed that the suspects’ unwholesome activities triggered protest by members of the Amalgamated Union for Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, prompting the police to act swiftly.
“At the end of it, these suspects would be charged to court to serve as a warning signal to other miscreants who parade themselves as revenue collectors”. DCP Ebrison stated.
The suspects admitted to have been apprehended during their operation.
