HCN Operatives Arrest 30 Illegal Revenue Agents Along Federal Highways

Arrested illegal revenue collectors

The Harmony Corps of Nigeria (HCN) has arrested 30 illegal revenue agents since the commencement of its operations two weeks ago.

The paramilitary outfit was recently engaged by the Agricultural Products Dealers Association to clear illegal checkpoints on federal highways, where fake revenue agents have been extorting transporters of food items moving from the North to the South.

Following an official directive from the Inspector General of Police, HCN deployed its officers and men to major federal highways. This operation has so far led to the arrest of 30 suspects.

According to Mr. Elvis Okoli, the Deputy Commandant General of the Harmony Corps of Nigeria in charge of operations,

“Presently, what we are doing on the highways is clearing them of all illegal checkpoints and revenue collection points.

These illegal agents have been on the highways collecting money from vehicles transporting goods. The funds they extort from truck drivers hauling farm produce are eventually transferred to the cost of the goods, and the ultimate victims are the consumers.”he said.

He further explained that such activities contribute significantly to the high cost of goods in markets across the country.

“When this happens, the prices of goods skyrocket, and it always affects ordinary citizens,” Okoli noted.

Okoli recalled that the Corps received reports from the Agricultural Products Dealers Association about the illegal activities of these agents and was subsequently engaged, with the approval of the Inspector General of Police, to intervene.

“We got information from the Agricultural Products Dealers that when food items are purchased from the North, they spend over ₦500,000 to transport these goods to the South. It became so worrisome that they sought our intervention. Through collaboration with the Joint Task Force and with the cooperation of the Inspector General of Police, we embarked on this operation,” he explained.

“We have sent signals to all police formations across the country to assist us in executing this vital assignment,” he added.

Okoli disclosed that, so far, more than 25 suspects have been arrested in Cross River State and another five in Enugu, who are believed to be principal actors. All the suspects have been transferred to Abuja for further investigation.

“Some of our personnel in Abuja, Nasarawa, and other states are also carrying out similar operations. We have already covered Enugu, Imo, and Abia States, and we intend to extend our operations to all states in Nigeria to ensure that those who mount illegal checkpoints and extort innocent people are apprehended,” he said.

Okoli also cited the 2004 Tax Law, which prohibits the collection of revenue or the mounting of checkpoints on federal highways.

“The 2004 Tax Law clearly states that no individual or revenue official is authorized to collect revenue on federal highways. They are aware of this law, yet they deliberately defy it by extorting money from innocent Nigerians,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the Corps’ ongoing operation would help reduce the cost of food items in southern markets.

“With this development, the cost of food items will drop, and consumers will no longer have to buy food at cutthroat prices. The high cost of food in southern Nigeria is largely due to transportation expenses from the North. Some transporters spend up to ₦700,000 to pass through seven or eight states before reaching the South, and this is totally unacceptable to us,” Okoli added.