Police withdraw personnel attached to revenue contractors in Aba


The revenue contractors have been accused of harassment.

The Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police in Abia has withdrawn its personnel attached to revenue contractors, following alleged harassment of members of the public.

The Area Commander, Rabiu Dayi, announced this when he spoke with journalists on the arrest of a staff of the Business Day Newspapers, Patrick Ijeagbai, in Aba on Friday.

Mr. Dayi warned that any police officer found accompanying the revenue collectors would be dealt with.

He said he allowed police to accompany the contractors following reports of attack on some of them by some `obstinate’ residents who refused to pay their bills.

“The role of the police is to maintain law and order as well as protecting lives and property of the people,’’ he said.

The area commander, however, appealed to residents of the state to pay their taxes and bills in order to avoid harassment by the contractors.

Meanwhile, the Business Day staff, Mr. Ijeagbai, said he was arrested on Friday for defaulting in the payment of sanitation bill of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).

Mr. Ijeagbai said he was not informed about the bill, adding that he would have paid if he knew.

He was, however, taken to Aba North Magistrates’ Court alongside other defaulters for prosecution.

(NAN)