The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi State Command, has parade two suspects for illegal collection of revenue, and one other for vandalising electricity asset belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in the state.
While parading the two suspects – Musa Baba, 52, male and Muhammed Usman, 32, also male, the spokesperson of the Command, Abdullahi Aliyu, accused the suspects of criminal conspiracy and illegal collection of revenue, which he said are against the law of the state.
He disclosed that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, February 11, in the course of selling tickets to motorcycle riders at the Paparanda Square in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the suspects, Musa Baba said he obtained the tickets from one El-Bashir who claimed to be an accredited revenue consultant to the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS).
He said that he was not aware that the tickets was from the wrong person.
Speaking also after the suspects were paraded, Acting Chairman of KGIRS, Mr Emmanuel Yusufu said the only accredited revenue consultant known to the agency is A’S Consulting headed by Mr Adebayo Daramola.
Also, Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue, Nasir Rahman Ichanyi, warned those parading themselves illegally as revenue consultants to desist from the act or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law
Recall that the state government in January had banned all illegal collection of revenue and sale of tickets by unauthorised persons, directing the security agencies to ensure compliance.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC also paraded a 34-year-old suspect, Abba Sabo, 34 years for alleged conspiracy, vandalism and receiving stolen property along Wada Road in Ganaga Village.
The NSCDC spokesperson said the offence was committed alongside one Friday Stephen who specialised in vandalising installations belonging to the AEDC.
The spokesperson added that items were sold to Sabo by Stephen who is at large, while assuring that operatives of the Command is working very hard to track him down.
Aliyu added that the suspects will be charged to court after the completion of investigation and assured that the officers of the command will continue to ensure the enforcement of the ban on illegal revenue collection by the state government.