The Edo State Police Command has vowed to fully support the state government’s ban on illegal revenue collection, promising close collaboration with relevant agencies to enforce the directive and restore public order.
The pledge was made during a strategic meeting on Wednesday at the State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City, where Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika hosted a delegation from the Edo State Government.
The delegation included the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor; Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Oladele Bankole-Balogun; and Commander of the Edo State Special Task Force, Michael Anetor.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the command’s spokesperson, Moses Joel Yamu, who represented Agbonika, said the police remained committed to sanitising the state’s revenue system and ending harassment by unauthorised collectors.
“The Edo State Police Command, under CP Monday Agbonika, is committed to protecting lives and property, and to working with the government to enforce the ban on illegal revenue collection. We commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for his decisive action and assure the public that the police will play a leading role in upholding the law,” Yamu said.
Bankole-Balogun said the visit was to thank the police for their support and to deepen collaboration against the menace of unauthorised levies, which he said had subjected traders, drivers, and market women to harassment and extortion.
On Wednesday, the Special Task Force arrested 10 people for allegedly collecting levies from traders and commercial drivers.
The suspects, apprehended during raids at Oka Market, Ring Road, Sapele Road, and Upper Sakponba, were handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
Anetor said the task force would sustain operations until illegal revenue collection was completely eliminated. Earlier in the day, the state government disbanded several transport unions and collection bodies found guilty of violating revenue guidelines.