The Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency has arrested twelve illegal tax and tolls collectors.

The suspects were arrested by Anti-Tax Enforcement Team led by the State Security Adviser, South, and was made up of the security agents, National Union of Road Transport Workers Union, NURTW, and Anti Tax Brigade. They wound be arraigned at Special Court.

The team, on Monday morning went round the various tickets and tolls points located at popular Watt Market, Mayne Avenue by Fosbery axis, Ette Agbor, Marian and MCC junction where some of the kingpins were arrested.

Addreasig newsmen after the operation, the leader of the Anti Tax Enforcement Team, Ani Essien, said they are acting based on Governor Ben Ayade’s order against illegal taxing of poor citizens and collection of tolls from market women in the state.

Essien, who doubles as the State Security Adviser, South, said: “The Governor had exempted some categories of citizens from paying tax, but the government is disappointed that some people are still collecting taxes and illegal tolls from low income earners and poor citizens.

“So our department, the Special Services, in collaboration with Anti Tax Agency, went to the streets to clean it up of illegal taxation and it is going to be a continuous exercise knowing that these illegal operators come out in the morning, afternoon and evening. So far we have arrested about 12 of them and we promise to eradicate the menace.All we need to do is to trigger it.

“We are worried because people are afraid of driving out of their houses for fear that their cars may be impounded or their goods seized by these ilegal taskforce and tolls’ operators,” he stated.

Also speaking, the chairman of Anti-Tax Agency, Bishop Emmah Isong, said: “Today, the enforcement of Governor Ben Ayade’s Anti-Tax Law had taken effect and you can see we were on the streets to arrest those still flaunting the government’s order on illegal tolls.

“Those arrested would not escape the arm of the law as they are going to be immediately prosecuted at the Special Court as provided for in 2015 and set up for such purpose.”

He advised Cross Riverians to report to the Agency anybody or groups who engage in the illegal collection of taxes from keke, taxi and low income earners.