Delta Govt Orders Arrest of Illegal Revenue Collectors, Reaffirms Ban on Roadblocks

The Delta State Government has reiterated its ban on roadblocks and the illegal collection of taxes, levies and other revenues on public highways across the state, warning that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted.

In a special public announcement signed by the Director of Public Communication and Functioning Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Stella Macaulay, the government said the directive became necessary following reports of unauthorized individuals, unions, associations and agents of some local government councils mounting roadblocks and extorting motorists under the guise of revenue collection.

The government stated that the Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DSIRS), the agency legally empowered to collect taxes in the state, had emphasized that the collection of levies, tolls, emblem fees and other forms of revenue by unauthorized persons remains illegal and constitutes a violation of existing tax laws.

According to the announcement, the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act 2025, as well as directives of the Joint Revenue Board, expressly prohibit the collection of taxes, levies or revenues on public highways by any person, group or authority.

The state government stressed that no ministry, department, agency, local government council or any other group has been authorized to intercept vehicles or obstruct the movement of persons and goods on roads for the purpose of revenue collection.

It further disclosed that the DSIRS had not appointed, approved or renewed the appointment of any road tax consultants or revenue agents for the 2026 fiscal year.

The government therefore directed the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies operating in the state to arrest, detain and investigate any individual or group found blocking highways or demanding road levies from motorists and members of the public.

“The Delta State Internal Revenue Service has not appointed, approved or renewed the appointment of any road tax consultants or agents for the 2026 fiscal year,” the statement said.

The government urged residents, corporate organisations and local government authorities to remain vigilant and report any illegal revenue checkpoints, extortion attempts or suspicious tax consultancy activities to the nearest law enforcement agency or directly to the headquarters of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service at 105 Airport Road, Warri.

It assured that the administration remains committed to transparency, compliance with national fiscal regulations and the protection of Delta State’s business-friendly environment from unlawful disruptions.

The government warned that anyone found engaging in unauthorized revenue collection activities would face the full weight of the law.