Abia Taskforce Smashes Fake Revenue Syndicate in Aba, Recovers ₦766,000

Authorities in Abia State have dismantled a fake revenue collection syndicate operating in Aba, arresting two suspects and recovering ₦766,000 extorted from unsuspecting residents.

The operation, led by the Abia State Harmonised Task Force (ASHTF) in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), was carried out at Block 6, Green House, Osisioma Local Government Headquarters.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the crackdown followed a directive from the Special Adviser on IGR, Mr. Emmanuel Okpechi, after reports emerged that fraudulent agents were issuing fake revenue demand notices to businesses and residents across the city.

“The Task Force, acting on intelligence, traced the illegal activities to a hideout in Osisioma where the suspects were caught with revenue books and ₦766,000 in cash believed to have been extorted from the public,” the statement said.

The suspects, whose identities are being withheld pending further investigation, allegedly posed as government officials, using forged documents and fake receipts to demand payments from traders and transport operators.

Mr. Okpechi commended the swift action of the ASHTF, warning that the state government would not tolerate any individual or group sabotaging its legitimate revenue drive.

He also urged residents to verify all payments and demand proper identification before making transactions, stressing that genuine revenue officers are easily identifiable through official badges and digital receipts.

The suspects are expected to face prosecution after the ongoing investigation concludes.