Delta Reaffirms Ban On Roadblocks, Vows Prosecution Of Illegal Revenue Collectors

The Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DSIRS), has reiterated that the ban on roadblocks and roadside revenue collection remains in force across Delta State, warning that violators will be arrested and prosecuted.

The agency said the enforcement covers all highways and public roads in the state, stressing that no individual, group, or organisation is authorised to stop vehicles or collect levies outside approved digital channels.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of DSIRS, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, expressed concern over what he described as the continued illegal blocking of roads by unauthorised persons claiming to act on behalf of government agencies.

He said such activities undermine lawful tax administration and create unnecessary hardship for motorists and businesses.

According to him, “Unauthorised individuals, unions, associations, and even agents of local government councils, sometimes acting in collusion with unscrupulous police officers, have continued to mount illegal roadblocks, erect toll barriers, and harass motorists under the guise of collecting revenue, emblems, or levies.”

Ighrakpata warned that anyone engaging in such acts would face the full weight of the law.

He further cited existing legal provisions, including the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025 and the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, which prohibit the collection of taxes and levies on public roads.

The DSIRS chairman stressed that no ministry, department or agency, including local government councils, has the authority to mount roadblocks or disrupt movement for revenue purposes.

He also clarified that the agency has not appointed any consultants or agents for road tax or haulage collection for the 2026 fiscal year.

“For the avoidance of doubt, DSIRS has not appointed any haulage or road tax consultants for the 2026 fiscal year. Any individual or corporate body parading itself as a consultant or revenue agent of the service is doing so fraudulently and should be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

Ighrakpata explained that all consultancy arrangements and operational structures relating to revenue collection remain suspended pending the passage of the proposed Delta State Revenue Law 2026.

He urged members of the public, transport operators and local authorities to avoid dealing with anyone claiming to represent the agency outside official channels.

He also directed that all legitimate taxes and levies due to the state government must be paid only through approved electronic payment platforms into designated government accounts.

The DSIRS boss called on the Nigeria Police Force Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute offenders operating illegal checkpoints or extortion points on highways.

He appealed to residents to report illegal roadblocks and fraudulent tax collectors to relevant authorities, adding that the agency remains committed to transparency, accountability, and protecting the state’s business environment from unlawful disruption.