Recently the executive chairman Benue State Internal Revenue Services (BIRS),Terzungwe Atser fingered some politicians, traditional rulers, local government officials as well as highly placed persons in the society to be involved in illegal collection of taxes across the state. Shortly on assumption of office, Atser raised an alarm on the issue of multiple taxation, that has affected the revenue base of the state. He observed that funds that end up in the pockets of private individuals was far higher than the one remitted into government coffers. It was discovered that these persons have engaged in printing fake receipts, which were given to their ‘boys’ who set up illegal road blocks and collect taxes that do not exist.Their actions have not only served to deprive the state of the much needed revenue, but also posed a threat to motorists, transporters as well as other road users in Benue. Startling revelations also emerged that these operators had fake letters from highly placed persons authorizing them to operate, just as some of these letters Daily Independent gathered, were allegedly signed by top security officers, government officials, political party stalwarts and the BIRS chairman. But, i some stakeholders who also fingered BIRS staff as culpable in the crime, implored the management of the agency to cleanse the Aegean’s table because some of the receipts being used were allegedly issued from the office. The operators of the illegal road blocks, not only beat up transporters who resist them but maim others and even cause accidents in the course of their illegal operations. The development has also posed a threat to the activities of both farmers in the state as well as traders that come to the various markets from other locations in the country to purchase produce. On the home front, the activities of operators of these illegal checkpoints have affected the sale of farmers produce in the markets, while on the other hand it has brought about drastic reduction in internally generated revenue. The development has also brought about a decline in traders’ patronage from other states of the country who patronize these markets that bring about the much needed revenue.It was also learnt that due to multiple taxation, traders evade genuine taxes in order to pay illegal operators on the roads so as to break even, thus causing government to lose huge revenue. Besides the activities of these illegal operators have posed a threat to road users in the state; in some cases with the collaboration of security operatives in the state. The illegal operators of these road blocks in some cases take laws into their hands and cause damage to vehicles, deflate tyres of transporters, in the bid to coerce them into paying illegal taxes. They sometimes cause accidents on the road by throwing logs of wood in the path of vehicles that do not stop for them. Matters came to a head when buyers refused to make purchases due to multiple taxation and in protest, women in Gando market, Gboko local government area poured their tomatoes on the highway, obstructing traffic in the process. The development prompted Atser and his team made up of Titus Ningir, Head Enforcement; Unongo Emmanuel Atim, Higher Executive Officer Revenue; Mariam Dawa, Principal Executive Officer 1 on Revenue; Moses Ngutor Igbawua, Director Debt Management and Enforcement and Dennis Mernyi, the Special Assistant on Media to Atser to take inventory of the illegal road blocks in the state. He also embarked on a tour where he held series of meetings with traditional rulers in the state, aimed at checking the activities of the operators. During the meetings, it was gathered that the state has the highest number of illegal checkpoints, where revenue is collected illegally by operators of these illegal checkpoints. Atser frowned at the actions of the illegal operators and threatened to evoke the full wrath of the law against criminals who refused to heed his warnings to get off the roads. He threatened to arrest traditional ruler in whose domain these illegal operations were being carried out, adding that in the bid to put a stop to the illegality, traditional rulers or the owners of households around where these illegality were perpetrated would be held responsible. Besides, the activities of the illegal tax operators in the state has eaten deep into the fabric of the state’s economy, with major businesses threatening to pull out of Benue if the development was not nipped in the bud It was gathered that four major betting companies have left the state as a result of the activities of the illegal operators, while Nigeria Brewery Limited (NBL), may soon follow suit. The BIRS has commenced a clampdown on criminal elements on account of failure of its warnings to perpetrators of the illegal operation to change their acts. The clampdown was a last resort after series of warnings handed down to the offenders to desist from setting up illegal road blocks to collect tolls. Atser who was irked by the activities of the politicians that have put the boys on the roads, who said they were placed on the roads as part of ‘settlement’ by government, adding that government has not asked any politician to set up illegal road blocks. While he explained that BIRS was the only legal established body set up by government to collect taxes, he stated that BIRS does not set up road blocks, with the aim of collecting taxes. Source: Independent   Kenya coach unveils squad for Africa Cup of Nations return Sweden-based midfielder Ovella Ochieng and former Al-Nasr Benghazi striker Masoud Juma were surprise inclusions in Kenya’s 23-man squad named on Tuesday for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Kenya coach Sebastian Migne also picked Zesco United of Zambia defender David Owino “Calabar” for the squad despite him not playing for the Harambee Stars in the qualifying rounds of the tournament. Defender Brian Mandela of South African premier league side Maritzburg United and newly-capped Sweden-based winger Christopher Mbamba were dropped from the squad due to injuries. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama will captain the side which makes a return to the competition for the first time since 2004. Kenya which has set up a three-week training base in France will play DR Congo in their final build-up match in Madrid on Saturday before their departure for Egypt. Kenya squad Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (St George/ETH) John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks) Faruk Shikalo (Bandari) Defenders: Philemon Otieno (Gor) Abud Omar Sfantu Gheorghe/BUL) Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United) Musa Mohammed (Nkana/ZAM) Joash Onyango (Gor) Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs/USA) David Owino (Zesco United/ZAM) Eric Ouma Vasalunds/SWE) Midfielders: Victor Wanyama (Tottenham/ENG) Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United) Erick Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna/SWE) Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe/CHN) Francis Kahata (Gor) Ismael Gonzalez (Las Palmas Atletico/ESP) Ovella Ochieng (Vasalunds/SWE) Paul Were (AO Trikala/GRC) Johanna Omollo (Cercle Bruges/BEL) Forwards: Masoud Juma (unattached), Michael Olunga (Kashiya Reysol/CHN) John Avire (Sofapaka) Source: Punch   Tottenham target Draxler sees future at PSG Germany midfielder Julian Draxler has played down rumours linking him to Tottenham Hotspur and said he wants to stay at Paris Saint-Germain. “I feel very happy here, I am playing for a great coach at a great club,” Draxler, 25, told Kicker magazine on Tuesday. Draxler, who earned his 50th cap in Germany’s 2-0 win over Belarus last Saturday, has been in and out of the PSG first eleven since joining the club in 2017. He has recently been linked with Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur, but the midfielder told Kicker that he was keen to extend his contract in Paris, which runs until 2021. “PSG is a crazy club in a positive way, things can happen from one day to the next, but I don’t think anybody is looking to kick me out here,” he said. “I will prepare for next season just like the last, and if I am offered a new contract, I will listen.” Asked directly about rumours of a move to Tottenham or Bayern last Saturday, Draxler told Bild newspaper that he had “no intention” of leaving PSG. “I can’t say anything about the rumours. I haven’t heard anything about it from the club, and I haven’t spoken with anyone,” he said. Source: Punch   [UPDATED] Women’s World Cup: Netherlands beat New Zealand 1-0 Jill Roord came off the bench and headed home from close range in added time on Tuesday to give the Netherlands a 1-0 women’s World Cup victory over New Zealand in Le Havre. The victory lifts the European champions into a tie with Canada atop Group E. The Football Ferns, stout in defence and sharp on the counter-attack, were left with nothing but disappointment. “The players will be absolutely devastated but we’re a resilient group and I’m pretty confident we’ll bounce back,” said New Zealand coach Tom Sermanni. The stars of a lively match were the two goalkeepers, Sari van Veenendaal for the Netherlands and New Zealand’s Erin Nayler. Both were busy and both, at different stages, underwent on-field treatment after brave saves. The Dutch had almost 70% of possession and almost three times as many goal attempts but New Zealand went painfully close three times. “The Dutch were the dominant team but we created some great chances,” said Sermanni. In the first half, Olivia Chance hit the bar and Rosie White drew a sprawling save from Van Veenendaal with a long-range strike. Early in the second half Sarah Gregorius, who is of Dutch descent, shinned a volley into the ground that gave Van Veenendaal time to lunge to her right and claw the ball round the post. At the other end, centre-backs Rebekah Stott and Abby Erceg coped well with the physical presence of Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema and the lively skills of the attackers around her. When the Dutch did carve a clear chance, they were frustrated either by Nayler or some anxious finishing, until the final moments. “We found it tough to create openings,” said FIFA’s player of the match Lieke Martens. “New Zealand defended well and it was not our best match, that’s clear.” The Dutch swung one more hanging cross to the far post where Lineth Beerensteyn bulleyed Ali Riley into a tame header back across the goal and Arsenal’s Roord guided the ball past the advancing Nayler. “We’ve got to look at the positive things we did,” Sermanni said. “We had a game plan and the players adhered to that magnificently. Their effort, courage and discipline was first class. We’ve got to take those positives away and look at the 90 minutes as a whole.” Later in the day, Group F kicks off with Chile facing Sweden in Rennes and the USA and Thailand end the first set of games in Reims. Source: Punch   Pogba’s remedy for racist abuse is play well not walk off Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba said the best way to quell racist spectators is to perform well on the pitch not as some suggest walk off if there is racial abuse. The 26-year-old was a pivotal figure as France won the World Cup last year and said in an interview with The Times that nothing wins people around better than success. Pogba is expected to start against Andorra in Euro 2020 qualifying on Tuesday night and played 90 minutes in a loss in Turkey on Saturday when the home fans caused outrage in France by jeering the Marseillaise. Racism reared its head last season with Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling being abused by a group of Chelsea fans. Then Sterling and other black England players were the targets of Montenegro supporters in a Euro 2020 qualifier. One of those players, Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose said he “can’t wait to see the back of football” because of the lack of decisive action to tackle racism. Rose said he was “shocked” at the lightness of UEFA’s punishment in ordering Montenegro to play just one game behind closed doors. Pogba told the newspaper he had once handed his Juventus shirt to a fan who had been making monkey noises at him. “Leave the pitch? You want to play, you want to score for your team,” said Pogba. “And at the end, they (racist abusers) will come and ask for a picture.” Pogba also responded to critics who say he has not justified his then world record £89.3 million ($113.5 million) move from Juventus in 2016. “I become another player because of the transfer,” he said. “Because it was the biggest transfer of history at the time, you get judged differently. “You expect more because of the price tag. A good game becomes a normal game, a top game will be a good game.” – ‘I am still the Paul I used to be’ – He proved a popular target when United started poorly last season under Jose Mourinho. Critics contrasted Pogba’s outstanding World Cup performances with those for his club. He also came under fire as United’s early good form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — who replaced Mourinho when the latter was sacked in December — tailed off at the end of the campaign. As a result, United finished sixth and missed out on Champions League football. However, Pogba can point to being the only player selected in the Premier League team of the season to come from outside the top two — champions Manchester City and Liverpool. He believes his appearance — various styles of haircuts and his body language on the pitch — plays a role in his being pilloried. “I always play like that and, thank God, I won the World Cup like that,” said Pogba. “Body language, haircut, all these things are just to speak. “Since I was a kid I play like this,” he said. “It’s not a problem when we win. Only when we lose or if I have a bad performance it becomes a problem.” Pogba, who scored 13 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season, says he has not changed as a person despite his success and becoming one of the highest earning footballers in the world. “I am still the Paul I used to be as a kid,” he said. “I grow, I become taller, but I am the same person who follows his dream. “People will love me like that. People will hate me like that.” Source: Punch   Salah headlines Egypt squad for African Cup of Nations Liverpool star Mohamed Salah headlines the 23-man Egypt squad Mexican coach Javier Aguirre unveiled Tuesday for the African Cup of Nations. The tournament runs from June 21- July 19, with Egypt’s first match against Zimbabwe on June 21. Squad Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Ahmed al-Shennawy (Pyramids) and Mahmoud Abdelrahim Genesh (Zamalek) Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa/ENG), Omar Gaber (Pyramids), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hamdy el-Winsh (Zamalek), Baher ElMohamady (Ismaily), Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Ahmed Ayman Mansour(Pyramids), Mahmoud Alaa (Zamalek). Midfielders: Waleed Soliman (Al Ahly), Abdullah al-Saeed (Pyramids), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal/ENG), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Ali Ahmed Ghazal (Feirense/POR), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Kasimpasa/TUR), Amr Warda (Atromitos/GRE), Nabil Emad Donga (Pyramids), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/ENG) Forwards: Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Olympiacos/GRE), Ahmed Ali Kamel (Al Mokawloon) Source: Punch   Torino grab Aina for €10m Torino have completed the capture of Nigeria defender Ola Aina, the club president Urbano Cairo has revealed. The Italian club signed Aina outright from Chelsea for €10m despite Chelsea’s apparent counter-option. The details of Aina’s deal was however not revealed by Cairo. Aina spent last season on loan at Torino from Chelsea playing 29 times and scored once for the Granata last season. “We’ve redeemed Aina for €10m, as well as Cristian Ansaldi, and Koffi Djidji. Now Torino own all their players,” Cairo said at the Lega Serie A assembly held in Milan on Monday. Aina made Nigeria’s final squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation billed to hold in Egypt. Torino finished in seventh place with 63 points last season, three away from qualification for the Europa League. “We fought for a European place until the end of the season. We were in the running for a Champions League place but missed out by a few points,” Cairo added. “We want to be ambitious. That’s why I intend to keep all my best players and strengthen the squad. “I don’t want to talk about the possibility of Milan not participating in Europe next season. We’ll wait and see what the decision is first, then we can plan ahead.” Source: Punch   France World Cup: Falcons need to play confidently, says Owolabi Felix Owolabi, an ex-international has urged the Super Falcons to ensure that they build the team’s confidence and play confidently in their next match against South Korea at the ongoing 2019 France FIFA Women’s World Cup. Felix Owolabi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Tuesday. NAN reports that the Nigeria national women’s team started their campaign at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup on a disappointing note as they were beaten 3-0 by Norway on Saturday night. All three goals by the former world champions were scored in the first half as the Super Falcons failed to get their acts right in the first 45 minutes. The team will play against South Korea on June 12. Owolabi said: “They lost confidence when things were going `south’, they need to ensure that they build up their confidence level; in football or any other game of life you never say never. “They will have to rise above whatever happens on the pitch, and also they should re-strategise and do the needful,’’ the ex-international said. The former Green Eagles players told NAN that the team should also have a feasible backup plan in their next match. “They got destabilised against Norway, they should have a backup plan that will work for the team should they have to,’’ he said. Source: Punch   Violence erupts in Lagos after Pillars, Rangers NPFL tie Violence and controversy took centre stage on Match Day 4 of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League Championship Playoff fixture between Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos on Monday as supporters invaded the pitch. Kano Pillars were leading 1-0 before the Flying Antelopes fought back to earn an 87th-minute penalty, which was coolly tucked in by forward Godwin Aguda to earn the Enugu-based side a valuable point as they continued their fight for a continental ticket. Pillars talismanic midfielder, Rabiu Ali, had broken the deadlock with a trademark curled free-kick in the 58th minute, which beat helpless Rangers goalkeeper Opubo Japhet. Ali, Pillars’ hero, turned villain immediately after the game, when he accosted referee Adebimpe Quadri and allegedly threatened to beat up the match official for awarding Rangers the late penalty. Videos of the incidence showed Pillars players trying to hold back the furious Ali, who swore persistently at Quadri, before two stadium security officials intervened and took the ref away. But Ali wasn’t done yet, as he ran after Quadri — who took to his heels — as the security officials tried to shield him away from the player. Thereafter, videos showed policemen detailed for the game standing helpless as fans invaded the pitch in their numbers throwing objects and missiles, reportedly injuring several people who came to watch the encounter. An angry fan, Dennis Erezi Ogheneweware, said Ali should be handed a serious jail term after he alleged that his wife, who was at the match venue, was hit by objects thrown by the irate mob. He wrote on Twitter, “I swear to God, I will keep cursing Rabiu Ali every day I wake up if this stupid player is not jailed. My wife was struck with a stone and bottle in the head during the match.” The fans, who were alleged to be Pillars supporters, wreaked havoc for over 20 minutes before the situation was controlled by the stadium security officials, who were slammed for failing to handle the situation professionally. Source: Punch   Missing IAAF $135,000: I’m ready for probe, says Gusau The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Ibrahim Gusau, says he’s ready for investigation over the missing $135,000 IAAF money. World athletics body IAAF had in 2017 mistakenly paid $150,000 to the AFN instead of $15,000 and later sought a refund when the officials of the body realised that $135,000 was paid in excess. Gusau debunked allegations that he was evading investigation, saying both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission have been invited to investigate the controversy surrounding the missing money. After it was discovered that the fund had been spent few weeks after it got to the AFN’s account, there was division among board members of the AFN. Before a reconciliatory meeting was summoned by the Ministry of Sports last Thursday, a faction of the board suspended Gusau as the president, insisting that the AFN president must be investigated regardless of the resolution at the meeting. Apart from the aggrieved AFN board members, ex-Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, and Dare Esan, AFN spokesman, also advised that there was a need for the president to be investigated. This, they said, would ensure lasting peace in the AFN. Responding to an allegation that he was evading investigation over the missing money, Gusau said, “I have written the EFCC and ICPC to come and investigate the matter. If I don’t want to be investigated, which better institutions would I have contacted except from these two? They will come and investigate and no one can stop them from coming. “The resolution that the issue has been resolved amicably doesn’t stop the investigation. For me to call EFCC and ICPC tells you a lot as a human being. If someone is telling you to come and investigate him, it means that the person is in the clear.” He added that he was not in control of the funds in question, saying that he was being troubled over “money that I have never met, money that I don’t have control over its account.” Earlier, the AFN’s Technical Director, Sunday Adeleye, said the missing money was used for the purchase of kits and payment of athletes’ allowances during last year’s African Championships in Asaba. Source: Punch   Ajayi devastated after AFCON exclusion Rotherham United defender Semi Ajayi has expressed his disappointment after he was dropped from Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Ajayi and Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho were both excluded from Nigeria’s AFCON squad for the tournament on Sunday. Despite his exclusion from the team, the former Arsenal youth player wished his teammates all the best in their quest for a fourth AFCON title in Egypt. “Wishing my brothers the best of luck at the upcoming #AFCON2019,” Ajayi wrote via his official Instagram Page. “It’s been a privilege to have been part of this squad and as much as I’m gutted that I can’t make it, I wish everyone linked with the Super Eagles the very best of luck this summer. “I will be supporting the team until the end. Go and make Nigeria proud my brothers.” Ajayi, capped six times by Nigeria, made 46 appearances for Rotherham in the English Championship last season, scoring seven goals and providing one assist. Meanwhile, Leon Balogun says his eyes are on the ultimate prize as the African Cup holds between June 21 and July 19. ‘’Keep your eyes on the prize,’’Balogun wrote on his Twitter handle. ‘’Felt great to wear the green-white-green again. And even better to play football again, in what I think was a good team performance. Thanks for your support Asaba.” Balogun played 10 games for Brighton in his debut season and scored once. Source; Punch   Falcons arrive Grenoble for Korea clash The Super Falcons have settled into their Mercure Grenoble Centre President Hotel in the city of Grenoble, ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Women’s World Cup clash with the Korea Republic at the Stadedel Alpes. The team trained at the Stade Eugène Thenard on the Avenue du General de Charles Gaulle ahead of the clash. They have also been charged top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation to put behind them the loss to the Norwegians and plot a strategy to win on Wednesday. Korea’s 4-0 loss to France at the Parc des Princes in Paris in the championship opening match means that third place will be in good stead to reach the Round of 16 if they brush the Koreans aside on Wednesday and hold France to a stalemate in Rennes on June 17. Source: Punch