By Paul Aondoakaa 

The Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service (NSIRS) has dismantled illegal tax collection roadblocks along the Makurdi Road corridor and arrested suspected revenue agents accused of harassing motorists.

The operation followed an unscheduled inspection by the agency's Roadblock Surveillance Committee in Kadarko, where officials uncovered unauthorized checkpoints allegedly being used for tax and levy collection.

The Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service (NSIRS) has intensified efforts to eliminate illegal tax collection activities across the state, dismantling unauthorized roadblocks and arresting revenue agents operating along the Makurdi Road corridor.

The enforcement exercise took place on Sunday during an unscheduled inspection of Kadarko by the Service's Roadblock Surveillance Committee. The inspection team was led by Permanent Member II, Mr. Canaan Coustine Wando.

Other members of the delegation included Permanent Member III, the Secretary to the Board, and directors responsible for Assessment, Collection and Compliance, as well as Enforcement.

According to NSIRS, the operation was conducted to ensure compliance with the state's directive prohibiting tax collection roadblocks on major highways.

During the inspection, officials discovered several unauthorized checkpoints allegedly used for the collection of taxes and levies from motorists and transport operators. The roadblocks were dismantled immediately, while agents accused of harassing road users were arrested.

The committee warned consultants and revenue collection agents against establishing illegal checkpoints, emphasizing that all approved revenue collections must take place only at officially designated loading and offloading points.

Officials said the unauthorized roadblocks create significant challenges for motorists, commercial transport operators, and traders. They noted that such practices can delay the movement of goods, increase transportation costs, encourage extortion, and undermine public confidence in lawful revenue administration.

NSIRS reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing existing regulations and maintaining surveillance operations across the state. The Service said monitoring activities would continue to ensure compliance and support a business-friendly environment that promotes the free movement of people and goods.

The agency added that sustained enforcement forms part of broader efforts to strengthen lawful revenue administration while protecting residents and businesses from unauthorized taxation practices.