By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi —
The Ag.Chairman, Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mr.Emmanuel Agema has arrested two suspects for digging and vandalizing the Benue State Internal Revenue Service Billboard.
The vandals were arrested through the support of the youths of the area on Thursday at Kucha Utebe community, along Makurdi-Gboko road .
A statement by the Media Assistant to the BIRS Chairman, Jacinta Benard, said the suspects arrested are John Terna Aga and Kwaor Terese.
According to the statement, the Chairman while addressing the youths, expressed his displeasure over the incident and condemned the act noting, that most government properties and utilities erected in the state are provided through the revenue generated from the state, emphasising also, that we owe it to the government to protect government properties.
He also stated that Governor Hyacinth Alia frowned at illegality and criminality as all hands should be on deck to end the menace.
The BIRS boss also said, the arrest of these criminals would act as a deterrent to intending vandals who feel the government is not watching.
The tax boss, who commended the youths of Kucha Utebe community for their support,also charged them to be the eyes of the government and be watchful in tracking down unscrupulous elements in their community that wish to destroy government properties.
He handed the criminals over to the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Utility Hon. Abellega Terseer, noting that they would face the full wrath of the law.
Abellega who received the suspects, stated that, it was his duty to guide and protect government utilities from vandalism and theft and commended the youths of Kucha Utebe for their collaborative efforts at tracking down the main perpetrators of the crime and also solicited for their support to work together with the government to eradicate the menace.
He further handed the suspects over to the Nigerian police for onward prosecution.
The Youth Leader, Kucha Utebe community, Mr.Kume Aondofa while commenting pledged to work in collaboration with the Chairman,BIRS ,PSA on Utility and the government to ensure that they fish out all criminals in the area.
