Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) has accused the Nigerian Army of abducting five of its tax officers.
The officials were abducted on Monday at an inspection point in Vandeikya Local Government Area by gunmen dressed in military uniform.
The agency on Tuesday in a statement posted on its Facebook page said the army had released the abducted officers following the intervention of Governor Samuel Ortom.
“Staff of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) abducted yesterday at the Tse-Mker Inspection point today regained freedom,” the statement read.
“The five staff taken by the men of the Nigerian Army, were today released on the orders of the chief security officer of the state, the Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom .
“The Governor who admonished the abduction and ordered for the release of the staff, has also tasked the security agencies including the Army to work in tandem with BIRS to ensure revenue security in the state.
“He has further directed that the trio of the Special Adviser On Security, the Executive Chairman BIRS and the Adjutant of the 72 battalion resolve all hitches and put up modalities to forestall any such further reoccurrence.”
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Army Sagir Musa did not respond to multiple calls and text message, Premium Times reports.
