According to correspondents, NCS said the hi-tech helicopters
were handed over to NAF for failure by the yet-to-be-identified importers to
produce end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser.
The NCS said this was in contravention of Section 36 (2) of
the Customs and Excise Management Act and that the seizure was effected on
November 7, 2016 in line with section 46 of CEMA.
Customs Area Controller, Frank Allanah, told journalists
that the value of the two helicopters and other accessories was over N9.7bn.
“The helicopters were flown in as a consignment
with Airway Bill Number 17232444403 into the country through the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport. The choppers were detained at the Skyways Aviation Handling
Company Limited shed pending fulfillment of all legal requirements for the
importation,” he said.
The chopper, he said, would be useful to the Nigerian Air
Force in the fight against insurgency as the chopper were specially designed
for such operations.
Speaking during the hand over the chopper , the Chief of Air
Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the choppers and accessories would be
taken to the NAF hangar at the Lagos Airport for full examination in
collaboration with Customs officials .
He described the handover as a milestone as the
configuration of the aircraft was fitted for military combat operations.
He said the handover had presidential approval adding that
all legal issues had also been considered.
*Reports from The Punch.
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