Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
In a renewed crackdown on illegal revenue collection across Edo State, the State Taskforce has arrested two individuals allegedly involved in unauthorized revenue collection activities in the Third Junction area of Benin City.
The suspects, identified as Osasere Amadin and Irahbor Destiny, were apprehended by operatives of the taskforce following intelligence reports linking them to illegal revenue collection in the area.
The duo was arrested on Monday, June 22, 2026, and subsequently paraded before journalists at the Edo State Taskforce office in Benin City.
Speaking on the operation, the Station Officer of the Edo State Taskforce, Rufus Johnbull, who led the team that carried out the arrest, said the taskforce acted on credible intelligence regarding the suspects’ activities.
According to him, operatives mounted surveillance around the area after receiving reports of illegal revenue collection and successfully apprehended the suspects while they were allegedly carrying out the unlawful activity.
Johnbull reiterated the Edo State Government’s commitment to eradicating illegal revenue collection, stressing that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has prohibited unauthorized revenue collection throughout the state.
He warned that anyone found engaging in such activities would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“This morning, acting on an intelligent report, the Taskforce Commander mobilized his men to the third junction in Benin City.
“The report indicates that illegal collection is ongoing in the area as drivers are being extorted.
“We got there and mapped out surveillance and we were able to arrest some of the people engaged in the illegal act.
“The Taskforce will intensify its efforts to ensure that the junction and other areas in the city will be free from illegal revenue collection.
“The Edo State government will ensure that those that embarked on illegal revenue collection across the State will not find peace until they are all arrested.
“The taskforce encourages drivers to go about their normal businesses as the taskforce will do its best to ensure all those who engaged in illegal revenue collection are arrested and made to face justice”, he said.
A bus driver who doesn’t want his name mentioned for fear of being attacked said the activities of illegal revenue collection around the third junction calls for concerns.
He appealed to the Edo State government to put a mechanism in place to arrest the perpetrators.
He noted that some unidentified person manhandled him at the junction, requesting him to part with N200 but his refusal led to the collection of his vehicle which the whereabouts is yet unknown at the time of this report.
The driver said that they pay different levies to different people as failure to pay most times, results in manhandling of drivers.
He appealed to the Edo State government to step in and stop the illegal activities to enable drivers to have peace while doing their legitimate businesses.
Speaking on his level of involvement, Irahbor Destiny who confessed to the crime said he is working for one CSO of Vigilante who he identified as Amaosa.
“Sometimes drivers willingly give us money which we share among ourselves and vigilante members around the location. The sharing formula is directed by the CSO who I worked for”, he alleged.
The second suspect, one Osasere Amadin denied his involvement saying he was at the junction to beg for money from drivers as his child is sick and is in the hospital.
He noted that two drivers helped him with some money and he was arrested in the process, adding that the money displayed before journalists doesn’t belong to him.
