The leadership of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area has distanced itself from the death of tax collector Samuel Monday Toby.
Toby was reportedly attacked in his home for assisting in enforcing the suspension of revenue collection in Ikot Akpaobong market, leading to his demise.
The wife of the deceased, Mrs. Gift Samuel Monday, petitioned the Commissioner of Police, attributing her husband's death to his involvement in the market's revenue collection suspension.
"His assassination is not far-fetched from his December 21, 2023, participation in enforcing the Ikot Akpaobong Market revenue collection suspension directive of the Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, having been appointed to aid in its implementation," she said.
Reacting to the death, Secretary of the Transition Committee, Mkpat Enin LGA, Pastor Amos Afia, stated that December 2023 was declared a tax-free month for traders, leading to the dissolution of the revenue collection committee.
In a release provided to our correspondent in Uyo, the State Capital, Afia explained that some youths, led by Akanimo Bob Ikpe, a Personal Assistant to Governor Umo Eno, and Village Head of Ikot Akpaobong Village, Eteidung Aniefiok Cyril Udom, defied the order by selling unauthorized tickets in Akpaudo and Ukam markets.
He revealed that the council officially informed Eteidung Udom about the tax-free excise in all the village markets. Additionally, members of the newly constituted Markets/Motor Parks Committee were introduced to the Commissioner of Police as authorized persons to collect revenue from January 1, 2024.
Afia clarified that the local government council never engaged the services of Akanimo Bob Ikpe as a revenue officer but employed Samruf Technical Services Limited, whose contract concluded in December 2023. He noted that any claim by Akanimo Bob Ikpe was illegal.
"On December 11, 2023, after due consultation with the Transition Committee, the Local Government Council's leadership, through a press release signed by Pastor Afia Amos, declared December 2023 a tax-free month for traders in Mkpat Enin.
"We also announced the dissolution of all standing committees, including the revenue collection committee.
"Despite the release and announcements on radio and social media for the smooth implementation of the tax-free exercise, some youths, led by Akanimo Bob Ikpe and Eteidung Aniefiok Cyril Udom, flouted the order by forcefully selling unauthorized tickets to traders in Akpaudo and Ukam markets.
"On December 20, 2023, Eteidung Aniefiok Cyril Udom, the village head of Ikot Akpaobong, was officially written to, introducing the enforcement team on the tax-free excise in all village markets. Additionally, on December 29, 2023, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, received a letter introducing members of the newly constituted Markets/Motor Parks Committee as authorized persons for revenue collection from January 1, 2024.
"On December 22, 2023, an unfortunate report emerged that an indigene of Mkpat Enin named Samuel Monday Toby was attacked at his home for assisting in enforcing the revenue collection suspension in Ikot Akpaobong Market.
"From all the records available in the Local Government Council, there is no evidence indicating that the council engaged the services of Akanimo Bob Ikpe as a revenue officer.
"Rather, the council employed Samruf Technical Services Limited for the revenue business, and details of the engagement show that the contract ended in December 2023. Therefore, Akanimo Bob Ikpe's claim to be a revenue collection officer in the Local Government is illegitimate.
"Finally, the Transition Committee is working closely with the Nigeria Police and all relevant security agencies to ensure that all culprits in the current crisis are brought to book. We are fully committed to restoring and ensuring lasting peace in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area," the release stated.
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