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FG Breaks Silence, Clarifies Position On Telecom And Fuel Taxes
The Federal Government has dismissed recent reports claiming it intends to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products. The clarification follows the publication of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria, which recommended such fiscal changes.
Maryann Duke, the Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday evening.
The minister’s aide explained that the assessments and recommendations outlined by the IMF are merely policy suggestions for consideration and do not represent binding choices or official decisions made by the Nigerian administration. Duke emphasized that any future economic adjustments are strictly determined by national priorities and established legislative frameworks.
“The Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,” Duke stated in the official release. She added, “The Government wishes to clarify that the IMF Article IV Consultation Report contains the Fund’s assessments and policy recommendations for consideration by the relevant country. Such recommendations do not constitute decisions of the Government of Nigeria, nor are they binding on the Government.”
However, the ministry confirmed that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on petrol remains active to shield Nigerian households and businesses from global energy market disruptions.
Duke said implementing a fuel surcharge would require a specific ministerial order and a formal publication in the Official Gazette, neither of which is currently being considered. The ministry also noted that previous telecommunications excise duties introduced before 2023 have been officially repealed under newer tax laws.
“With respect to petroleum products, the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver currently applicable to fuel remains in place and has not been withdrawn,” Duke explained.
“The suspended taxes have helped to moderate domestic fuel prices below international averages and neighbouring countries serving as a cushion on the impact of global energy market disruption on Nigerian households and businesses. The Federal Government also wishes to clarify that the telecommunications excise duty introduced prior to 2023 has been repealed under the new tax laws and is therefore no longer applicable.”
The ministry urged stakeholders, businesses, and the public to disregard the inaccurate reports, reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, growth-oriented tax system. Duke concluded by assuring the public that any genuine updates to tax policy would be communicated directly through official channels and handled strictly according to due process.
At least nine people have been confirmed dead and 11 others injured following an attack by suspected terrorists on Unguwar Magaji community in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack reportedly occurred late on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The spokesperson for the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Yonkpa, confirmed the incident, saying the casualty figure rose after search and recovery operations led to the discovery of more bodies.
According to Yonkpa, initial reports did not capture the full scale of the attack, but seven additional bodies were later recovered, bringing the death toll to nine.
Community sources told SaharaReporters that the attackers stormed the area with firearms and left several residents injured
Those killed were identified as Jerry Doctor, Danlami Magani, Sunday Chibi, Rita Abdullahi, Sunday Elkan, Esther Kefas, Happy Friday, Moses Daddy and Daddy Ibrahim.
The 11 injured victims were identified as Halla Monday, Mary Yohanna, Jummai John, Charity Danjuma, Faith Yakubu, Omi Yakubu, Ali Sandiye, Asabe Victor, Srarina Simon, Talatu Sunday and ThankGod Danladi.
Residents said the attack left the community in grief and renewed fears over the recurring violence in Southern Kaduna
Community members lamented what they described as repeated attacks on vulnerable communities in the region and called for stronger security presence.
They also urged the media, civil society organisations and government authorities to pay greater attention to the plight of residents affected by repeated violence.
Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Delta, have foiled a camouflaged crude oil storage site used to perpetrate crude oil theft activities in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The feat was performed by the naval personnel during an operation code-named ‘Delta Sentinel’ “following actionable intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State”. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in Warri on Wednesday. According to the statement, the naval personnel, supported by aerial surveillance, initially carried out a meticulous search of the area.
“Although the location initially appeared free of suspicious activity, further observation and analysis of drone imagery revealed a large freshly dug reservoir deliberately concealed beneath leaves, planks, wood, and thick vegetation to evade detection.
“Subsequent exploitation of the site uncovered approximately 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir,” the statement explained.
Folorunsho said, “The site also showed clear indications of recent crude oil theft activity and was assessed to have served as a temporary storage point within an illicit supply network.
“The discovery highlights the increasingly sophisticated concealment methods being adopted by criminal elements to sustain crude oil theft operations.
“However, the integration of intelligence-led operations and aerial surveillance capabilities continues to enhance the Nigerian Navy’s ability to detect and disrupt such illegal activities.
“The reservoir, recovered products, and associated materials were handled in accordance with extant operational procedures, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to support further criminal activities.”
He added, “The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining pressure on crude oil theft networks under operation Delta Sentinel through persistent surveillance,intelligence-driven operations, and coordinated actions aimed at protecting Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and economic interests.”
Crude oil theft has remained a persistent challenge in the Niger Delta, contributing significantly to national revenue losses and environmental degradation.
Criminal networks often use sophisticated concealment methods, including underground reservoirs and illegal pipeline connections, to siphon and store stolen crude.
The minority caucus of the House of Representatives has accused the federal government of neglecting governance, worsening insecurity and allegedly undermining opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Minority Leader Hon. Fred Agbedi said Nigeria was facing a dangerous combination of insecurity, economic hardship and what he described as attempts to weaken democratic opposition through the judiciary.
The caucus expressed outrage over the killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in captivity after he was reportedly abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State.
Describing the incident as a national tragedy and evidence of the country’s deteriorating security situation, Agbedi said the murder of the retired military officer underscored the inability of the state to protect its citizens.
“That a general of the Nigerian Army, who once commanded troops and defended this nation, could be kidnapped alongside his wife and later declared dead under unclear circumstances is a grave indictment of a failed state,” he said.
The caucus noted that the killing came after the deaths of other senior military officers in the fight against insurgency, warning that insecurity had spread across several parts of the country.
According to Agbedi, President Bola Tinubu must provide a clear and effective security strategy to confront banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, which he said continue to threaten lives and communities nationwide.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, calling for an urgent military operation to secure their release.
“As we speak, school children and their teachers abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity. Their crime? Going to school in Nigeria,” Agbedi stated.
The caucus demanded what it described as a coordinated rescue effort, insisting that every hour spent in captivity endangered the future of the affected children.
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