Benin City | August 5, 2025
The Edo State Government has announced an immediate and indefinite ban on the activities of several transport unions and a revenue consultancy firm over alleged involvement in illegal revenue collection, extortion, and harassment of citizens across the state.
This decision was contained in a government special announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the banned groups include the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, Drivers on Wheel, and Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, a private consultant previously engaged to support revenue enforcement.
The government stated that while some of these groups were previously granted limited authorization to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), they have “grossly violated the terms of engagement” and resorted to illegal cash collections, extortion, and acts of intimidation.
“It has become clear that some of these groups have betrayed the trust reposed in them by the state and have now become instruments of economic sabotage and social oppression,” the announcement read.
With this directive, no individual or group associated with the listed unions is permitted to collect dues, levies, or any form of charges from motorists, traders, or members of the public in the state.
Motorists and road users have been urged not to comply with any illegal payments and to report such incidents directly to the Edo State Special Taskforce, coordinated by SP Michael Anetor, via 08038157126.
The government further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies have been directed to arrest and prosecute any person or group found violating the directive.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, the statement emphasized, remains committed to sanitizing the revenue collection system and protecting residents from unlawful exploitation.
“This marks the end of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort citizens in the name of revenue collection,” the government said, warning all concerned to desist or face the full weight of the law.
