The Edo State Taskforce has arrested two men accused of illegally collecting money from traders and customers at the Uwelu Spare Parts Market in Egor Local Government Area.
The arrests followed complaints from business owners who alleged that some individuals had been demanding unauthorised levies from people carrying out legitimate business activities in the market.
Speaking after the operation, the Taskforce Station Officer, Johnbull Rufus, said officials acted immediately after receiving reports of the alleged extortion.
According to him, the suspects were issuing unofficial tickets and collecting payments despite the Edo State Government’s ban on illegal revenue collection and unauthorised ticketing.
“We received complaints from traders and customers that some individuals were extorting people doing legitimate business. Based on those reports, the taskforce moved in quickly and arrested two suspects,” he said.
Rufus warned anyone still involved in illegal revenue collection to stop immediately or face prosecution.
He added that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remains committed to creating a business-friendly environment by eliminating illegal taxation, harassment and other forms of extortion targeting traders.
The suspects, identified as Tony Amayo and Thompson Okun, claimed they were acting on the instructions of their employer, Kingsley Ikhimwin.
According to them, they believed the revenue collection was lawful because they had allegedly been told it had the approval of the local government council.
The suspects are expected to face further investigation as the state government continues its crackdown on illegal revenue collectors across Edo State.
