By Daniel Agbo
Makurdi
There was drama yesterday at Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) when the Police X-Squad operating in the state besieged the office and allegedly manhandled the Executive Chairman, Mrs Mimi Azape-Orubibi.
One of the board staff, who pleaded anonymity, said a quarrel ensued between the X-Squad led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP, and the Executive Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service, Mrs. Azape-Orubibi, when the former demanded the release of some tax offenders.
According to him, the ACP was seen manhandling the chairman in her office, a situation that resulted to serious confusion and tension within and around the office.
Narrating her ordeal, Mrs Orubibi said the crisis started when the ACP, Mr. Olu Kayode Ayilara, came to BIRS office demanding the release of offenders and woods impounded from them.
She said the ACP led his team to her office last Thursday but was told she was out, noting that when he returned yesterday, the officer barged into her office and told her to release all the woods and the offenders.
But briefing newsmen after meeting with some police chief’s in the state, Governor Samuel Ortom said the Police Command had set up investigative panel to probe the incident which led to the alleged assault of the BIRS chairman.
“What we want is for the rule of law to prevail. I just finished a meeting
with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Joshak Habila, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni as well as Senator George Akume among others, and I believe the issue will be resolved,” he said.
But reacting to the incident, the state Police Command said the policy
direction of the IGP was that all police actions must conform with the rule of law and respect the fundamental rights of the citizens.
According to the statement, the officer behind the disgraceful act has been identified and investigation has commenced in earnest.
The statement reads in part, “the investigation will be handled dispassionately and accorded the seriousness it deserves, with a view to ensuring that the erring officer and any other officer found wanting are made to face the full wrath of the law.”
