Private Firms Demand Tax Clarity To Curb Highway Extortion Nationwide

In a decisive move to tackle illegal levies and harassment on Nigerian highways, Benid Industries Limited has teamed up with Sanity Multi-Efforts Limited (SMEL) to seek clear guidance on lawful road taxes from all 36 State Internal Revenue Services and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In statement made available to journalists in Lokoja, the Chief Executive Officer of Benid Industries, Dr. Idoko Bartholomew Chukwuma, announced the initiative in Ondo, describing it as a proactive response to the 2025–2026 Presidential Tax Reform Policy introduced under Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dr. Idoko decried the persistent harassment faced by commercial drivers, noting that unauthorized individuals routinely mount roadblocks to extort money, an act he said undermines federal law, reduces legitimate state revenue, and contravenes the Joint Revenue Board Communiqué of December 2025.

According to him, the collaboration, supported by churches, manufacturers, transport unions, and fleet operators nationwide, has led to the dispatch of formal letters to all state revenue agencies through SMEL, under the leadership of Prince Dan Olaitan Dada.

He emphasized that the initiative is not confrontational but aimed at fostering dialogue.

“We are simply asking for transparency,” he said. “States should clearly outline lawful levies, approved payment channels, and the legal backing for each charge. Once this is provided, compliance from stakeholders will be total.”

Dr. Idoko stressed that clarity in tax administration would not only protect drivers but also boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and align with the Federal Government’s push for a cashless, harmonized, and business-friendly economy.

He lamented that the current system of multiple taxation and illegal collections costs businesses millions of naira monthly while diverting funds away from government coffers.

As part of interim measures pending official responses, Benid Industries has instructed its drivers and affiliated operators to avoid confrontations, refuse unauthorized cash payments, insist on official treasury channels, and report extortion attempts to security agencies.

Reaffirming the company’s stance, Dr. Idoko said the initiative represents a lawful and constructive effort to sanitize Nigeria’s transport sector.

“This is about promoting law, safety, and sanity on our roads. It is a collective step toward building a better Nigeria,” he said.

The coordinated outreach led by SMEL is being described as the first major private-sector effort to operationalize the Presidential Tax Reform policy on highways across the country.

For transport operators and stakeholders, the message remains clear: compliance must be guided by clarity, and sanity must prevail.