The Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NGSIRS) has sealed two branches of Unity Bank in Minna over the alleged failure to remit taxes and other statutory levies owed to the state government.
The enforcement exercise followed a special audit of banks operating in the state covering the period between 2022 and 2024.
The two branches were sealed on Friday morning during an operation that began at about 6:30 a.m.
The NGSIRS said Unity Bank is indebted to the state to the tune of N1.625 billion for alleged non-compliance with Section 85 of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), covering the period from 2005 to 2021.
It further alleged that the bank owes an additional N116.94 million in unpaid levies and charges accrued between 2010 and 2021, as well as N16.8 million relating to masts, VSAT facilities, towers, and fibre optic infrastructure between 2020 and 2024.
According to the Head of Tax Audit and Investigations, Musa Ayatullahi, who confirmed the action, other financial institutions had settled their assessed liabilities, but Unity Bank allegedly failed to comply despite several demands for payment.
He explained that the agency subsequently obtained a Warrant of Distress from the Niger State High Court on June 4, 2026, through its legal representatives, Mohammed Ndayako & Co. of Bastion Chambers, to facilitate recovery of the outstanding debts.
The agency said the closure of the two branches was carried out to enforce the court order and recover the outstanding liabilities allegedly owed by the bank.