Edo Government Cracks Down on Illegal Revenue Collectors Extorting Traders and Drivers in Markets and Motor Parks

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The Edo State Government on Wednesday ordered the arrest and prosecution by law enforcement agencies, of any person involved in the act of extortion of commercial vehicle drivers and traders across the state or found disturbing the peace in motor parks and marketplaces under the guise of revenue collection.

Frowning at the activities of some touts who the government claimed had been engaged in extortion of commercial drivers, market women, and harassment of state accredited revenue collectors in the state, a statement signed by secretary to the state government, (SSG) Joseph Eboigbe, and made available to journalists in Benin, said reports reaching it said the touts had gone to the central park, Benin City, and markets, with a view to extorting money from commercial vehicle drivers and traders under the guise of revenue collection, a development Eboigbe said amounted to lawlessness.

The statement reads:

“The attention of Edo State Government has been drawn to orchestrated spates of intimidation and harassments being meted out on accredited revenue collectors across Edo State by some unscrupulous individuals masquerading as Agents of Government. Reports available indicate that these persons have gone to the Benin Central Motor Park and other Motor Parks across the state, as well as marketplaces with a view to extorting money from commercial vehicle drivers and traders under the guise of revenue collection.

“This act of brigandage is not only reprehensible, but also amounts to an act of lawlessness. For the avoidance of doubt, Edo State Government has accredited revenue collectors who have been duly mandated to collect revenue as approved by Government in the various Motor Parks and Market Places. Their contract with the State Government subsists till November 12, 2024.

“Edo State Government therefore warns all persons or group of persons perpetuating this act of brigandage to desist from it or face the full wrath of the law, as no responsible Government will fold its hands and allow unscrupulous persons create a state of anarchy.

“In light of the foregoing, Government directs the Law Enforcement Agencies in Edo State to arrest and prosecute any person involved in the act of extortion of commercial vehicle drivers and traders across the state or found disturbing the peace in motor parks and marketplaces under the guise of revenue collection.”