Otu fumes over harassment of market women by fake tax collectors

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has expressed deep concern over the continued harassment and manhandling of elderly market women in major markets across Calabar, Ikom, Ogoja and other towns by persons posing as tax and rate collectors.

He directed all such individuals and groups to immediately desist from what he described as criminal and extortionist activities, warning that his administration would no longer tolerate such behaviour.

Reports indicate that in several major markets in Calabar, hired young men routinely intimidate and assault traders who refuse to pay alleged government levies. The governor said such aggression and exploitation were giving his government a bad image.

Speaking on Saturday in Calabar while hosting over 7,000 widows to a feast marking his 66th birthday, Otu denied authorising any task force or agency to collect levies through force or intimidation.

He condemned the harassment of residents, especially widows and market women, saying the practice inflicted unnecessary hardship on already struggling citizens.

“We discovered our brothers are too hostile. They do things the government does not know about—collecting unnecessary tolls that cause pain to the people,” he said.

The governor warned that anyone caught extorting money in the name of government would be made to refund such collections in full.

“Anytime there are issues, please come to the government. We have opened a complaint desk. Anyone reported to have done that will be made to make full refunds,” Otu declared.