By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has arrested over 60 individuals and dismantled 86 illegal checkpoints across the state.
The sweeping operation, spearheaded by the Benue State Taskforce on Illegal Levies and Related Criminal Activities, targets the long-standing issue of “marching ground” fees and unauthorized levies that have plagued businesses and stifled development.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth Organisations and Illegal Levies, Gbenda Terver, disclosed the progress in an interview over the weekend, stating that his office has made giant strides in breaking the backbone of these illicit practices.
“When we came on board, we mapped over 100 illegal checkpoints. Today, 86 have been dismantled. We’ve arrested more than 60 suspects from different parts of the state – 40 in Makurdi alone. These individuals were extorting developers and entrepreneurs under the guise of traditional levies,” he said.
Terver explained that before Governor Alia assumed office, developers often paid up to N10 million in unauthorized fees to unnamed groups, pushing major investors like Olam and Coca-Cola to exit the state.
“Some were charged N3 million just to begin construction. If it was a school or hotel, they could spend between N6 to N10 million on illegal levies. We couldn’t allow that to continue,” he said.
According to him, things are turning around following a new anti-illegality law passed by the State Assembly and signed by Governor Alia, “such practices have now been outlawed across Benue. The results are already showing — Coca-Cola has returned and is currently renovating its facility in the state.”
Terver, who oversees a workforce of over 1,000 youths spread across all 276 council wards, said the clean-up campaign is also part of an effort to steer young people away from crime and cultism.
“We’re working closely with the police and anti-cultism units. Since the last cult-related incident two months ago, there’s been a sharp decline in activities. Many have gone into hiding,” he added.
He called on youths to seize new opportunities created by the Alia administration, such as skills training and empowerment schemes, instead of resorting to illegal means for survival.
“Our job is to make Benue safe and attractive for investors. We’re taking back the state from those who want to extort and destroy its future,” Terver concluded.
