The Commander of the 401 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Al-Amin Rabiu has pledged the support of the Brigade to the Benue State Internal Revenue Service, (BIRS), to curb the menace of illegal checkpoints in the state.
The Commander made the pledge during the courtesy call on him by the Ag. Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Emmanuel Agema, ACTI, and the Management staff of the service.
Brig. Gen. Rabiu who was responding to the call by Mr. Agema seeking for collaboration with the Nigerian Army, noted that the Executive Governor of the state, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia had earlier sort the support of the military over the issue of illegal checkpoints in the state and other security challenges.
He added that the Brigade under his command was ready to give the necessary support to the state in maintaining the desired peaceful environment and also help to achieving development for the state.
Earlier in his speech, the Ag. Chairman, Mr. Agema, said the visit was to seek the collaboration of the Nigerian Army to effectively flush out the criminal elements who mount and operate illegal checkpoints on the highways in the state.
While decrying the negative effects of the illegal checkpoints on traders and the economy of the state, the Chairman added that under his watch as the Revenue Boss of the state there shall be zero tolerance for illegal checkpoint operators hence the need for the collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state.
He further presented to the Commander a list of the gazetted revenue inspection/monitoring points across the state which he said are been operated by staff of the service with proper means of identifications.
He further added that the designated inspection/monitoring points have mini offices painted with BIRS colours and signposts indicating the checkpoints.
Mr. Agema also noted that the collaboration will help in fostering a synergy with the Nigerian Army to minimise the cases of harassment of staff of the service by some personnels of the Army.
The Chairman was later presented with a complimentary plaque by the Commander.
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