Haulage Operators Allege Illegal Highway Taxes Fuel Inflation, Urge IGP to Probe ‘Fake’ Presidential Task Force

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Jide Oyekunle , Abuja

The Heavy Duty Haulage Transporters Welfare Association of Nigeria has alleged that illegal taxation and widespread extortion on Nigerian highways are significantly increasing the cost of transporting goods across the country, calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s successor, IGP Olatunji Disu, to investigate an alleged unauthorized group operating under the guise of a presidential task force.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the association’s Secretary-General, Ambassador Ayobami Makinde, said the proliferation of unauthorized checkpoints and illegal levies imposed on commercial vehicles had become a major contributor to rising transportation costs, with the burden ultimately passed on to consumers through higher prices of goods and services.

The group identified the outfit as the “Presidential Taskforce Against Economic Sabotage/Multiple Taxation,” alleging that it was operating without lawful authorization.

Makinde said the association’s findings revealed that illegal collections on highways had reached alarming levels.

According to him, trucks transporting goods from Borno State to Port Harcourt allegedly pay between ₦1.8 million and ₦1.9 million in illegal levies, while those travelling from Katsina State to Lagos incur about ₦1.5 million in similar charges.

“The cost of these illegal collections is eventually added to the prices of commodities, making Nigerians bear the burden of unlawful taxation on the highways,” he said.

He argued that collecting taxes through highway roadblocks violates the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004, particularly Section 3(2), which prescribes penalties for unauthorized tax collection and clearly defines the taxes collectible by the federal, state and local governments.

Makinde further alleged that nearly 80 percent of those collecting taxes and levies on Nigerian highways were not authorized by any tier of government.

“Neither the federal government nor state and local governments have the legal authority to establish roadblocks for the sole purpose of generating revenue,” he stated.

The association also announced the inauguration of its National Working Committee.

The newly inaugurated officials include Hon. Oraka Nnaemaka as National Chairman, Ambassador Ayobami Makinde as Secretary-General, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar as President of the Board, Azubuike Nwanko as Board Secretary, and Valentine Anona as Deputy Director of Operations.

Makinde disclosed that the association had instituted a suit at the Federal High Court last year seeking an order of mandamus compelling relevant law enforcement agencies to enforce the provisions of the law against illegal tax collection on highways.

According to him, judgment was delivered on July 13 in favour of the applicants, adding that the association was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before making it public.

The association also accused one Emmanuel Osiegbemeh of operating the alleged presidential task force, which it claimed had been extorting motorists and revenue officials across different parts of the country.

Makinde said petitions submitted to the Nigeria Police Force prompted an investigation by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), which allegedly recommended criminal charges against the suspect before he reportedly jumped police bail and was declared wanted.

He, however, alleged that despite being declared wanted, the suspect had continued operating with the support of some police personnel.

According to him, a document being relied upon by the group merely requested comments from security agencies on an application and did not amount to presidential approval for the establishment or operation of the task force.

He further alleged that the group is currently active in Delta, Enugu and Ebonyi states, where its members allegedly arrested revenue officials, extorted money from them and issued unofficial receipts.

The association also claimed that some suspected members of the group are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Oyo State, while another incident involving persons allegedly linked to the task force resulted in a road accident along the Enugu-Ebonyi boundary, destroying a newly acquired truck.

Makinde said the association possesses documentary evidence, including police reports, receipts, identity cards and video recordings, which it intends to make available to journalists and relevant authorities.

He appealed to IGP Olatunji Disu to order a fresh investigation into the allegations and ensure that anyone found culpable including any police officers allegedly aiding the activities of the purported task force is brought to justice.

Describing the alleged activities as a serious threat to national security and economic stability, Makinde called for decisive action to eliminate illegal taxation on Nigerian highways, protect transport operators and restore public confidence in law enforcement.