The enforcement team of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), in collaboration with the police, says it arrested a six-man gang of illegal tax collectors.

KADIRS spokesman Zakari Muhammad disclosed this at a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Mr Muhammad explained that the culprits were intercepted on August 9 during a joint operation along Muhammadu Buhari Way in Kaduna North LGA.

He said the suspects were caught red-handed while collecting cash from unsuspecting individuals.

According to Mr Muhammad, the act contravened section 51 of the Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020, which prohibits cash collection.

“The section provides that ‘notwithstanding any provision in any law on assessments, levying, or collection of taxes, levies, revenues, or surcharges in the state, no revenue shall be payable or collected in cash by any person or authority’,” stated the KADIRS official.

Mr Muhammad also mentioned that only by bank draft, electronic debits, credit card, point of sale terminal, money transfer into the IRS’ bank account, and any other electronic means approved by the board.

Mr Muhammad said the suspects were handed over to security operatives for further investigation and prosecution.

He said the joint operation was part of the acting executive chairman of KADIRS, Jerry Adam’s commitment to restoring taxpayers’ confidence in the system.

Mr Muhammad said this was achieved through sanitising and promoting transparency in the state’s tax administration systems.

“The revenue service is hereby calling on citizens of Kaduna state to report the activities of illegal tax or revenue collectors through the following numbers: 09088743859, 08099414343, 07062020465, and 09088743853,” Mr Muhammad disclosed. “We appreciate our esteemed taxpayer’s usual collaboration, support, and understanding.”

(NAN)