NEWS
IGR : FCT remits N127b in 6months -FCT-IRS
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, FCT-IRS, on Tuesday, revealed that it has collected and remitted the sum of ₦126,535,768,441.30 between January – June 2024.
Executive Chairman FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdulahi, revealed this while briefing journalists in Abuja. He said the mid year collection for 2024 is 53. 5% higher than the mid-year collection for 2023, the collection is higher by ₦44,076,516,599.5 in comparison to the ₦82,459,251,841.80 realized in the first half of 2023. The FCT-IRS Chairman who was represented at the occasion by Director Tax Operations, Chinwe Anohu-Ndu, said, it is 119.7% higher than the mid-year collection of 2022, the collection in 2024 is ₦68,935,844,331.12 higher compared to the ₦57,599,924,110.2 collected in 2022. According to her, “Firstly, I would like to express my profound appreciation to the Honorable Minister, His Excellency Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, for his exemplary leadership, support, and commitment to boosting revenue generation in the FCT. I also wish to extend my appreciation to our stakeholders, my dedicated Management Team, and our hardworking staff for their exceptional contributions, team spirit, and dedication to excellent service delivery.Foundation, Growth, and Consolidation StagesAs a brief overview, the FCT-IRS outlook is divided into three stages: Foundation, Growth, and Consolidation. (i)The Foundation Stage covers the period from inception which was June 2015 to December 2023 focusing on building a sustainable institutional framework and enhancing employee capacity. (ii) The Growth Stage commenced in January 2024 and will last until December 2028, with the aim of achieving an annual revenue of ₦500 billion.(iii) The Consolidation Stage will commence from January 2029 to December 2034, the Service would be operating on a sustainable level with a global vision to of competing with world class revenue authorities”. She continued, “We are currently at the Growth State and to achieve this ambitious goal, we have designed strategies which include: The optimization of current revenue streamsThe operationalization of non-performing tax types. Conducting strategic tax audits for individuals and non-individuals.”During economic challenges like those we are experiencing today, a tax authority like FCT-IRS is expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing the economy and generating revenue for the government to fund essential public services. Key expectations include maximizing tax collection to increase government revenue and ensuring efficient tax administration by streamlining tax processes, reducing bureaucracy, and combating tax evasion and fraud while educating and enlightening tax payers. The Service is also committed to aligning with Federal Government tax policy reforms aimed at stimulating economic growth”. She stressed, “The Service is also dedicated to engaging with taxpayers, businesses, and other stakeholders to understand their challenges in order to continuously develop solutions that will enhance tax compliance and eliminate tax evasion. “We are currently optimizing and upgrading our technology to improve tax compliance, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, to build a more resilient tax system that will enhance revenue generation while making tax paying process seamless for our taxpayers”.On the mid-Year Collection Update, she said, ” I am delighted to inform you that the FCT-IRS in the first half of the year – between January to June – has collected and remitted the sum of ₦126,535,768,441.30.”We are delighted to state that our mid year collection for 2024 is 53.5% higher than our mid-year collection for 2023, the collection is higher by ₦44,076,516,599.5 in comparison to the ₦82,459,251,841.80 realized in the first half of 2023. “Additionally, it is 119.7% higher than the mid-year collection of 2022, the collection in 2024 is ₦68,935,844,331.12 higher compared to the ₦57,599,924,110.2 collected in 2022. This trend is indicative of a year-on-year growth.This stellar growth highlights our commitment and determination to overcome obstacles while striving to boost revenue generation. The Service achieved such impressive results within six months amidst economic challenges by leveraging technology and building one of the most functional E-service portals in the revenue sector. We also owe this accomplishment to the high compliance rate of taxpayers in the FCT. We urge everyone to continue choosing voluntary compliance over compulsion.Enforcement and Legal Actions”The FCT-IRS has commenced an enforcement drive to tackle tax evasion and ensure the collection and accounting of all revenue accruable to the FCT. Non-compliant businesses have been sealed, and appropriate legal actions taken to recover all tax liabilities and ensure timely payment of subsequent taxes.Ongoing Efforts and Future GoalsWhile the service has not reached its desired state, we have made made giant stride that has put us in a better position to deliver on our mandate. We are also working tirelessly to surpass our 2024 revenue target by the year’s end, by remaining focus and sustaining the momentum”.FCT-IRS boss there reiterates the commitment of his organisation to continue deliver excellent services with professionalism and efficiency, while providing guidelines for tax administration to taxpayers and residents. She also encouraged all taxpayers in the Federal Capital Territory to prioritize tax compliance, as it is a crucial aspect of development and nation-building. “By fulfilling your tax obligations, you contribute directly to the growth and prosperity of the FCT and the nation at large”, she noted.NEWS
Police Detain Woman for Alleged Killing of Co-wife in Bauchi
The police command in Bauchi State, said it has apprehended a housewife over alleged killing of her co-wife following a domestic violence incident in Bauchi metropolis.
This was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the command, SP Nafiu Habib, on Monday in Bauchi.
He said that the command detained the suspect (name withheld) on Sept.
27 for alleged culpable homicide following a domestic incident at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in Bauchi.Habib said that on Sept. 27, at about 4:05 p.m., the Police C-Division, Bauchi, received credible information that there was a domestic incident between two wives residing in the same household belonging to their husband.
He said that preliminary investigation revealed that the 33-year-old suspect, who is the second wife, allegedly acting under hallucinations, struck the first wife with pestle on the forehead, and the victim fell unconscious.
“Upon receipt of the report, detectives attached to C-Division immediately mobilised to the scene.
“The scene was documented, and the victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where she was certified dead by a medical doctor. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy,” he said.
Habib said that the police recovered the pestle used in committing the offence.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as directing the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and prosecution.
Aliyu condoled with the bereaved family and cautioned against domestic violence.
The CP also advised husbands to seek timely medical and psycho-social support for members of their families exhibiting mental health challenges. (NAN)
NEWS
FRSC Deploys 170 Ambulances Nationwide for Emergency Rescue
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed more than 170 ambulances across the country as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and rescue operations on Nigerian roads.
The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, while responding to questions on the operational capacity of the corps emergency ambulance network and its response to Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs).
Ohaeri said the FRSC had the largest number of ambulances among emergency response agencies in Nigeria, with more than 170 ambulances and 60 Zebra points across the country.
He said the figure should however not be interpreted as the number of ambulances currently operational or serviceable as of September 2026.
According to him, an accurate current figure of serviceable ambulances will require the latest fleet-status report from the corps medical and rescue office.
He explained that the figures demonstrated the scale of the corps emergency response network, while the availability of individual ambulances was managed operationally based on their location, condition and assignment.
On the adequacy of the ambulances for emergency rescue, he said the corps continued to maintain and deploy its assets as part of its emergency response responsibilities, stressing that the status of individual vehicles could vary depending on their operational condition and assignment.
The CPEO said the corps was also focused on improving its emergency response capacity, particularly by strengthening rescue deployment and collaboration with other relevant agencies.
He also said that the corps had historically recorded an average response time of about 15 minutes under its documented emergency-response programme.
He cautioned against presenting the figure as the current nationwide average without updated operational data.
According to him, response time varies depending on several factors including the location of a crash, traffic congestion, distance from the nearest ambulance point and accessibility of the crash scene.
He added that the accuracy and timeliness of information provided by callers could also affect the speed with which rescue teams reached crash scenes.
Other factors he said include the possibility of emergency teams responding to other incidents simultaneously.
Ohaeri stressed that the corps had identified faster response to road traffic crashes and other emergencies as one of its management priorities in 2026.
He said efforts were therefore ongoing to strengthen rescue deployment and inter-agency collaboration to improve emergency response to road crashes.
He added that the FRSC remained committed to improving emergency rescue operations, strengthening the deployment of its resources and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure better outcomes for road crash victims.
He reiterated that complaints concerning emergency response, evacuation, treatment of victims or other forms of alleged misconduct should be channeled through the appropriate authorities for investigation and necessary action.
The CPEO further assured that the corps would continue to strengthen its emergency response mechanisms as part of broader efforts to reduce the consequences of road traffic crashes and improve the safety of road users nationwide.(NAN)
NEWS
NBA Decries Rising Insecurity in Plateau, Urges Urgent Action
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has decried the spate of security challenges currently confronting Plateau and other parts of Nigeria.
The Chairman of Jos Branch of the association, Morgan Dung, said this during a joint news conference on Monday in Jos.
Dung spoke on behalf of the Jos, Bukuru and Pankshin branches of the association.
The chairman particularly decried the recent attacks and killings in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Bassa, Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Dung, who described the continuous killings of innocent residents as “unfortunate and unacceptable”, called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to tackle the menace.
“The protection of lives and property remain the most fundamental responsibility of government as contained in section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“NBA frowns at the inability of the government to prevent the continuous loss of lives and property in Plateau and beyond.
“We particularly condemn the recent killing of members of community vigilantes at their duty posts in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Bassa LGAs
“We call on the government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book. This menace must also stop,”he said.
Dung, however, commended president Bola Tinubu over his recent visit to Plateau and the move to establish State Police in the country.
He further called on the government to sponsor an executive bill to fully domicile security issues under the concurrent legislative list.
Dung urged the government to properly and adequately equip security agencies, strengthen border surveillance and secure all forests serving as hideouts for bandits and other criminal elements.
The chairman also commended Gov. Caleb Mutfwang for revamping Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit and training of 2,000 personnel of the neighbourhoods watch.
He, however, called for the licensing of Operation Rainbow to operate with kinetic facilities, implement the anti-land grabbing law and provide structures for police division and forward operation bases in the state.
Dung advised security agencies to deploy more personnel and equipment to flashpoints in the state, insisting that such a move would ensure prompt response to threats.
The chairman, who called on the judiciary to ensure timely dispensation of terrorism cases, advised governors to sign death warrants of convicted terrorists to serve as a deterrent to others.
He pledged NBA’s readiness to promote access to justice, document evidence of atrocities and pursue public interest litigation to ensure accountability (NAN)


