FG grounds 60 private jets over unpaid import duties

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has begun grounding around 60 private jets across the country in a sweeping operation to recover billions of naira in unpaid import duties.

The enforcement action, which began discreetly on Monday, was confirmed on Wednesday by Customs officials. It targets both individually and corporately owned luxury aircraft that failed to comply with a verification and duty payment directive issued in 2024.

Sources told Punch that hangars at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja were sealed as part of the clampdown. High-end jets such as the Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, Global 6500, and Global 7500 are among those affected.

The move follows months of unsuccessful attempts by the government to persuade jet owners to verify and regularize their aircraft documentation during a Customs-led exercise launched in October 2024.

Confirming the development, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada said the service was simply fulfilling its statutory mandate.

“Yes, enforcement has started. The aircraft are grounded for non-payment of customs duty. As soon as owners regularize their payments and fulfill their obligations to the nation, the jets will be released,” Maiwada stated.

He noted that the Customs Service had issued several warnings and extended the verification deadline multiple times before initiating enforcement.

“We extended the period—overextended it, even. Now that we’re enforcing compliance, everyone understands why. We must collect revenue for Nigerians so that it can be used for national development,” he added.

Meanwhile, several aircraft owners, including prominent figures in banking and the oil and gas industry, have reportedly begun lobbying the Presidency and other influential offices for reprieve.

One commercial bank is said to have committed to settling its dues by next Tuesday, while another is reportedly in negotiations with Customs through intermediaries. An energy company with three grounded jets has also pledged to clear its outstanding obligations within the week.

The Federal Government had initially announced plans to ground defaulting aircraft in October 2024, but the operation was delayed due to multiple legal challenges.