The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered the arrest of illegal tax and revenue collectors impeding vehicular movement on roads and highways.

The arrest also include labour and trade union members.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said a Special X-Squad team has been deployed across the country to commence with effect from Monday (today) the removal of all forms of illegal blockage and obstructions on the roads.

He said the special team was under strict instruction to arrest, investigate and prosecute any person or group of persons found committing the illegal act.

He 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.

“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.”

Moshood advised that it is against the law for any organization to restrict or restrain members of the public from the free usage of roads and highways anywhere in the country.

“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 maim innocent travellers and other road users,” the Force pointed out.

He urged stakeholders to prevail on their proxies, agents and representatives to desist from blockading the highways and roads.

Azeez