Grounded Luxury: Nigerian Customs Clamps Down on 60 Private Jets Owned by Bankers, Oil Tycoons Over Unpaid Duties
In a bold and unexpected move, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has grounded 60 private jets, including those reportedly owned by bank executives, oil moguls, and top-tier businessmen, following a sweeping investigation into unpaid import duties.
According to @SaharaReporters, the clampdown is part of an aggressive campaign to recover billions of naira in revenue losses, as Nigeria grapples with dwindling federal income and mounting public debt.
The high-flying lifestyles of Nigeria’s ultra-wealthy have hit turbulence — literally. Customs officials revealed that many jet owners had refused to pay mandatory import duties, despite using these aircraft for both business and personal travel.
“Some of these jets have been flying in and out of Nigeria for years without proper documentation or payment of the legally required duties,” an NCS official stated.
The affected jets, now impounded at various Nigerian airports, allegedly belong to:
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High-ranking bank executives
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Influential oil and gas magnates
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Politically connected business elites
For years, Nigerians have criticized what they describe as a “two-tier system” — where the elite enjoy impunity while the average citizen is crushed under taxes, fuel hikes, and inflation. This crackdown may signal a shift in tone.
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