The Nigeria Police Force has banned the mounting of roadblocks by revenue collectors on highways and public roads across the country. The ban takes effect from today,Monday 17 April, 2017.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood said in a statement issued on Sunday that theInspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim K. Idris has deployed Special X-Squad Teams of the Force across the country to effect the removal of all forms of illegal blockage on public Highways and Roads created by unlawful revenue/tax collectors, road transport unions, Labour and Trade related unions inhibiting vehicular movement and smooth passage of road users across the country.

The Police Spokesman said the Special X-Squad Teams deployed are under strict instructions to also 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.

The Police authorities said: “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 Roadblock in any part of the Federation for the purposes of collecting any Tax or Levy.

“Consequently, the Nigeria Police Force hereby advised the relevant state governments, Local Government Councils, Boards of Internal Revenue Service across the Country, various Transport Unions, Labour and Traders Associations that it is against the law for any organisation to create a blockage and restrict or restrain members of the public 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 rob, kidnap and maim innocent travellers and other road users.

“The Nigeria Police Force implored the affected stakeholders mentioned in paragraph (4) above to prevails 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 renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to continue to enforce the law, guarantee adequate security and safety of every Nigerian and ensure crime free society remains unwavering.