Officials from the Edo State Task Force arrested ten people on Wednesday on suspicion of extorting money from market women, drivers, and traders.  

The arrest came after the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Drivers on Wheel, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers were banned from operating with immediate effect by Governor Monday Okpebholo.  

The administration claimed that the unions were not permitted to collect any kind of taxes, levies, dues, or charges from drivers, dealers, or any other member of the public in the state in a statement released on Wednesday by Umar Ikhilor, the secretary to the state government.

The statement read, “The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, has observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organisations under various guises across the State.

“It has become clear that some of these groups, previously given limited authorisation to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service under clearly defined terms, have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.

“Specifically, the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel are hereby banned with immediate effect. All activities of the aforementioned unions are suspended indefinitely.

“These unions are not authorised to collect any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in Edo State.”

Some of the union officials were apprehended in key Benin areas when they were found to be collecting illegal tolls, despite the warning and prohibition on their operations.

Source