FIRS engages security agencies to tackle tax evasion

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has convened a security and stakeholder engagement with key law-enforcement agencies in Lagos to strengthen collaboration on revenue protection, tax enforcement and national security. The session, organised by the FIRS Special Enforcement Division, brought together senior officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Force Special Fraud Unit (SFU) and other agencies involved in financial and criminal investigations. Head of the Special Enforcement Division, CSP Bakfur Kyes, in his welcome address said the parley was designed to deepen operational synergy among agencies as Nigeria prepares for the implementation of the National Revenue Service Act on 1 January 2026. He said both security and revenue collection were shared responsibilities that required a unified approach. “We gather today in recognition that security is everyone’s business and so is revenue collection,” he said, adding, “As we prepare for the enactment of the new National Revenue Service Act, it is important that we forge stronger alliances among all stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation and boost national revenue for the common good.”

Kyes outlined the work of the Special Enforcement Division, noting that the unit protects FIRS facilities nationwide and undertakes investigations into cases that threaten the integrity of the tax system.

Kyes urged agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and operational coordination. “Together, we can safeguard revenue assets, deter evasion and eliminate threats to revenue integrity,” he said. He also emphasised the role of the media in promoting compliance and transparency. “Through responsible reporting, advocacy and enlightenment, you help build public trust and reinforce the narrative that paying taxes is a civic duty,” he added.

A consultant to FIRS, Mr Oladipo Oluyemi, said security agencies must work more closely with FIRS to ensure effective enforcement. “More revenue generated means more funding being given to the security outfits for us to live in a safe environment,” he said.

Mr Falowo Austine of the FIRS Debt Management Office, Lagos Mainland East, who represented the Director of Debt Management, said security-agency collaboration remains critical in enforcing compliance among defaulters. “There is no enforcement without law enforcement. Security protects revenues, revenues sustain security and together they sustain the nation,” he said.

He noted that the Special Enforcement Division provides detectives and mobile police personnel to support debt recovery efforts, especially in cases involving difficult or non-compliant taxpayers.

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