Police detain eight NSIRS staff over alleged diversion of state revenue

Eight staff members of the Niger State Internal Revenue Service, NSIRS, have been arrested by the police over the alleged diversion of billions of naira belonging to the state government.
Sources disclosed that the suspects are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where detectives are conducting further interrogations and auditing financial records to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.

According to the sources, investigators suspect that more officials may be implicated in the case, while the alleged misappropriation is believed to have gone on for several years.

The sources further alleged that some senior officers may have benefited from the scheme, with some of the suspects said to have acquired luxury vehicles and multiple properties within and outside the state.

It was gathered that the police have approached Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Minna for an extension of the suspects’ remand period to enable investigators to conclude their probe ahead of prosecution.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned upon the completion of investigations.

As of the time of filing this report, the Niger State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the matter, while officials of the Niger State Internal Revenue Service were also yet to comment on the allegations.

This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the state government to strengthen revenue generation and improve accountability in public institutions.