Operatives of the Oyo state police command have apprehended about twelve(12) suspected tax collectors operating within the Ibadan metropolis.

The arrest was made by combined efforts of the police officers and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC).

The illegal tax collectors were rounded off in the revenue office at Onireke area of Ibadan and were moved to the state office of the Board of internal revenue where they were paraded before newsmen.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue Generation, Biyi Oloko said the action of those arrested contravene the policy of the present administration in the state adding that a Special Task Force set up by the government made the arrest possible.

He therefore charged residents of the state to be careful when accosted by any person or groups demanding payment of revenue from them.

One of the suspects arrested, who identified himself as Kola Ali declared that they were on contract agreement for the job with the Oke Ibadan North Local Council Development Area.

When contacted, the caretaker chairman of Oke Ibadan North Local Council Development Area,  Samuel Ajadi in a telephone interview admitted that those arrested were engaged by the council for tax collectors but the council is yet to synergise with the state board of internal revenue.

The suspects have since been handed over to the police for appropriate action.

Reports by Kunle Ojo