The
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the immediate
removal of all illegal blockage of highways created by unlawful revenue/tax
collectors,
road transport unions and labour and trade related unions across
the country.
The IGP who
gave the order yesterday in Abuja, said the menace caused by the blockade was
inhibiting smooth vehicular movement, passage of passengers and goods and other
road users across the country.
To this end,
the IGP, has deployed the Special X-Squad teams to check the perpetrators of
the illegal act.
The special
squad, according to the IGP, were under strict instructions to arrest,
investigate and prosecute any person or group of persons found committing the
offence.
The IGP, who
made this known in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer,
Moshood Jimoh, said: “It is unlawful and contrary to the laws for any
individual or group under any name to take laws into their hands and block any
road or highway in full or any part of it under the guise of collection of
revenue/tax or enforcement of the interests of such organisations.”
The IGP,
while reiterating the determination of
the Police to enforce the law, guarantee adequate security and safety and
ensure a crime free society.
“ For avoidance
of doubt, the Taxes and Levies Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 section
2 (2) disallowed any person, including a tax authority from mounting a road
block in any part of the federation for the purposes of collecting any tax or
levy.
“It is evident
from the numerous complaints received at police stations across the country
that these illegal blockage points were most times taken over and used by armed
robbers and kidnappers to rob, kidnap and maim innocent travellers and other
road users.”
He,
therefore, sent a warning signal to revenue/tax collectors, road transport
unions, labour and trade related unions, who are in the illegal business to
desist from their illegal act or have themselves to blame.
“The Nigeria
Police Force implores the affected stakeholders mentioned in paragraph four
above to prevail on their proxies, agents and representatives to desist
forthwith the blockage of highways and roads across the country, as the full
weight of the law will be applied on anyone arrested in the act, and they will
be prosecuted along with their sponsors. Parents and guidance are also enjoined
to monitor their children and wards not to be used to commit illegal acts under
the pretence of employment,” the statement warned.
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