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Ground rent: FIRS personnel assault ministerial task force

Published

6 months ago

May 29, 2025

Ground rent: FIRS personnel assault ministerial task force

Tensions flared in Abuja on Tuesday as members of the Ministerial Joint Task Force (MJTF) were reportedly attacked by staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters during an official operation to unseal the premises.

The incident occurred following the FCTA’s enforcement action on Monday, May 26, 2025, when the FIRS building was sealed over alleged non-payment of ground rent. The sealing was part of a broader initiative by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to clamp down on property owners who have failed to meet their statutory obligations.

However, in response to a presidential directive aimed at easing tensions, the MJTF returned on Tuesday to unseal the FIRS building and other affected properties, offering a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their outstanding payments.

Led by officials from the Development Control Department, and accompanied by armed police officers, civil defence personnel, and other enforcement agents, the MJTF team arrived at the FIRS premises and notified security personnel of their intention to remove the official seals.

However, they discovered that most of the seals had already been removed by FIRS staff, with only one remaining. It was during this process that the alleged assault on the task force members occurred.

Tensions escalated when security personnel and staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) reportedly locked the gates of the headquarters, trapping members of the Ministerial Joint Task Force (MJTF) inside and preventing their exit.

According to eyewitnesses, FIRS staff and security personnel then violently attacked the task force team—including police officers and civil defence operatives—leaving several officials with varying degrees of injuries. One of the victims was reportedly an aide to the Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.

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Some civil defence and police officers were said to have had their uniforms torn, while others were physically assaulted and had their mobile phones forcibly seized.

Witnesses also claimed that the FIRS Chairman was present during the commotion but failed to intervene or restrain the agitated staff.

The situation was eventually brought under control after several hours, following the intervention of Director Mukhtar Galadima and a rescue team who rushed to the scene to de-escalate the violence.

Galadima, who rushed to the scene upon receiving reports of the assault, condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as completely unacceptable. He was seen making phone calls to relevant authorities to report the incident.

One of the victims who spoke to SaharaReporters described the conduct of the FIRS staff and security personnel as “ridiculous, absurd, unacceptable, and reprehensible.”

SaharaReporters also learned that Galadima, visibly angered by the incident, formally reported the matter to higher authorities, while the assaulted officials lodged a complaint at the Intelligence Response Team Police Station in Guzape for further investigation and appropriate action.

“The FIRS staff and security attacked us today. They beat us and injured many of the Ministerial Joint Task Force members. We started the unsealing of the properties that we sealed on Monday over non-payment of ground rent,” one of the victims said.

“We started from Wuse Zone 6, and we moved down to Zone 5, but we were attacked immediately when we entered their office. The security and staff of FIRS locked us up inside their building and started beating us.”

The source said, “Some of the civil defence officers had their clothes torn to shreds, and they almost stripped one of the officers naked. We were asked to seal up those owing ground rent, which we began yesterday. So we were instructed by the Director to go and unseal the nine to 10 buildings that we sealed on Monday

“They blocked the exit and entrance access, and they said we would not be allowed to leave. The angry staff and security personnel pounced on anyone there.

“They even seized some phones, especially from the ladies. They couldn’t take phone calls from the men as they struggled, but all to no avail.”

Ground rent: FIRS personnel assault ministerial task force

Related Topics:FIRS task force unseal office

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Published

3 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Published

3 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.