From Minna
Boko Haram insurgents have imposed VAT and income taxes on residents in Niger state, besides their occupation of some communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, according to sources.
The Reporters recalls that the state has been battling battled Boko Haram insurgents for quite sometimes now, with Shiroro, which houses one of Nigeria’s electric dams being their places of ferocious attacks.
The online publication also recalls that the Governor of the state, Alhaji Abubaka Sani Bello,on Monday, announced the displacement of many residents by the insurgents around Munya and Shiroro Local Government Areas of the state.
The visibly disturbed governor disclosed that 3,000 people had been displaced by tlbandits and Boko Haram elements around the areas.
He said:“There are some other communities that we think are safe but a vast majority of them will have to remain here because their villages and towns have been taken over by the Boko Haram elements.
“I just heard they have already placed their flag in Kauri,which means they have taken over the territory,” he said.
Bello expressing fears that Boko Haram members could soon match on Abuja, which shares border with Niger.
A police source, who fled Shiroro told journalists that the community, Awasha, Chiri, and many others were under the control of Boko Haram insurgents who also control trades.
Although many believe that it funds itself through kidnap for ransom and looting local communities, the police source stated that it generated income through taxation.
Reconfirm the Governor’s disclosure, the source added that the insurgents imposed taxes on local farmers and fishermen who fish around the Shiroro lake and residents made to pay VAT when local transactions were carried out.
Apart from paying taxes, residents also go farming for the insurgents.
The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO for the Police Command in the state,police, Wasiu Abiodun, said on telephone that he would make findings about the situation, very and feed the journalists.
The insurgents have in past years occupied dozens of villages around Lake Chad, where they generate income from the residents.
