Taskforce arrests 2 over extortion at Benue building site

The Benue State Taskforce on Illegal Levies and Related Criminal Activities has arrested two people for allegedly extorting money from workers at a construction site at Nyon Layout in Makurdi.  The suspects, identified as Nyikwagh Akosu James and Tardoo Nyikwagh, were apprehended early Wednesday during a routine operation by the Taskforce team.   Gbenda Terver, a […]

The Benue State Taskforce on Illegal Levies and Related Criminal Activities has arrested two people for allegedly extorting money from workers at a construction site at Nyon Layout in Makurdi.

 The suspects, identified as Nyikwagh Akosu James and Tardoo Nyikwagh, were apprehended early Wednesday during a routine operation by the Taskforce team. 

 Gbenda Terver, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth Organisations and Illegal Levies, who led the taskforce, noted that the duo reportedly demanded N200,000 from site workers as “Marching Ground” fees, an illegal levy outlawed by the Benue State Government.

 He said the suspects arrest followed a distress call from workers at the site who reported that a group of hoodlums had disrupted construction activities, held engineers hostage for several hours, and destroyed some working tools over non-payment of the demanded sum.

 The taskforce operatives however upon arrival noticed most of the hoodlums fled the scene, but the two suspects were caught and arrested while residents of the area reportedly expressed relief at the arrests due to persistent harassment by illegal fee collectors.

 One of the arrested suspects, Akosu James, was alleged to be a known gang leader in the area. 

 Witnesses said he showed no remorse during his arrest, allegedly declaring that the state governor had no authority to stop them from collecting levies on what he referred to as their “father’s land.”

 Terver, while parading the suspects, as a representative of the Taskforce, called on residents to support ongoing efforts by providing timely information to security operatives. 

 He maintained the government’s commitment to eradicating extortion and related illegal activities in Makurdi and across Benue State.

 Meanwhile, he said the suspects have been handed over to the Police Command Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.