Police arrest attackers of tax officials in Warri

MEN of the Delta State Police Command have arrested the managing director of an oil servicing company ((name withheld) and some police officers who allegedly assaulted staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Warri, Delta State.

The arrest was sequel to a formal complaint by the FIRS State Coordinator for Edo, Delta and Rivers states, Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, at the Police Headquarters, Asaba prompting the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Usman Alkali, to fish out those behind the dastardly act.

Armed with concrete proof, the police swung into action and apprehended the managing director, the company secretary and some security men attached to the firm.

While regretting the assault, he said that his company had been paying taxes without filing.“I am not a community leader, politician. I know it happened for a purpose. In fact, I cannot explain it. I don’t create violence. I cannot encourage abduction. Please forgive us,’’ the detained MD pleaded.

Reacting to the arrest, Joel-Onowakpo, commended the police “for their prompt response which led to the arrest of those who aborted the tax monitoring exercise of the staff of the Service.”

He specifically commended the effort of the Commissioner of Police for showing good example by not shielding those involved, particularly when his men were fingered in the alleged assault.

Joel-Onowakpo likened the molestation of the FIRS officials to destruction of government property which the law frowns at.While calling on the general public to accord tax officials both at the state and federal level the respect they deserve, he warned that anyone caught harassing or attacking any officer on duty would be made to face corresponding punishment.

He warned that the FIRS under the Executive Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, would not tolerate any act of lawlessness in the process of tax collection.

The Police Commissioner decried the assault, saying the FIRS officials came with a flyer and introduced themselves.He said the Federal Government was taking Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) very seriously and vowed that his command would protect tax officials as they go about their lawful duty.