Some shop owners in Abakaliki have appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to regulate the activities of task forces operating across the state, alleging harassment, intimidation and multiple levies that they say are hurting their businesses.
The traders made the appeal on Thursday in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Chika Uzu, a recharge card dealer and Point of Sale (POS) operator at Diamond Point Junction, Abakaliki, said he had repeatedly encountered taskforce officials, particularly after a dispute between two neighbouring traders over a shop space.
According to him, the officials intensified their visits to the area after the disagreement was resolved, subjecting traders to frequent harassment and extortion.
Mr Uzu alleged that the task force damaged some of their property and collected money from traders without issuing official government receipts.
