Unemployment Forced Me Into Illegal Revenue Collection for Government on Highways, Says Arrested Suspect

One of the suspects arrested for illegal revenue collection along the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ebonyi axis, Ejiofor (surname withheld), has disclosed that unemployment drove him to engage in the unauthorized activity. According to him, he was generating revenue on behalf of the Ebonyi State government through a contractor, unaware that their operations on highways were illegal.

Ejiofor, aged 35, was one of 20 individuals recently apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force for involvement in unauthorized revenue collection and multiple taxation. The arrests were part of the government’s efforts to curb economic sabotage and illegal taxation along Nigerian highways. The operation spanned areas around Enugu, Abakaliki, and Ebonyi.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, highlighted the significance of the arrests. He noted that it marked a step towards eliminating illegal activities, boosting economic growth, and ensuring the free movement of industrial and agricultural products on the nation’s highways.

Reports from the Nigerian Tribune indicate that the police arrested 14 suspects initially at the Abakaliki and Ebonyi boundary. Subsequently, five more suspects were nabbed at Abumeje, Ogoja, and the final arrest took place in the Onuakpu area of Ebonyi. ACP Adejobi confirmed that five of the suspects had already been charged with economic sabotage, while the remaining individuals in Ebonyi Command’s custody would face charges soon.

“The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to dismantling all illegal revenue collection points and stopping unlawful taxation,” Adejobi said. “This initiative aims to create a safer environment, particularly for businesses, and ensure compliance with the presidential order on ease of doing business. It also fights illegal roadblocks and multiple taxation along highways, contributing to economic development in Nigeria.”

A court ruling has stated that revenue collection should only take place at points of loading and offloading, reinforcing the illegal nature of the suspects’ activities.

In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Ejiofor shared his side of the story. “I was employed to work for the Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue on IGR (Internally Generated Revenue). I graduated from Ebonyi State University with a degree in Industrial Chemistry in 2016. After struggling to find a job, I turned to farming.”

He explained that a contractor, identified as Honourable Kenneth (surname withheld), recruited him for the revenue collection job in March. “He asked me to collect revenue from vehicles passing through the area, particularly those transporting goods. He works with the Board, but I wasn’t given an official employment letter,” Ejiofor said.

He further revealed that his pay depended on the daily revenue collected. “On a good day, we would go home with between N2,500 and N3,500. But I didn’t work every day. Other people would take over the next day, so my turn came every other day.”

Ejiofor expressed regret over his involvement, stating that he was unaware that they were not supposed to operate on highways. “We never used force to collect the revenue. I now realize I was wrong and plead for pardon. I won’t do it again,” he said.

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