Fidelia Okafor

The Nigerian Customs Service is expanding its dragnet to uncover those behind the importation of two Bell civil models Helicopters.

Consequently the Customs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport have seized the choppers and handed over to the Nigerian Air Force for failure of yet to be identified importers to produce end-user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser, ( NSA) in contravention of Section 36 ( 2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act.

Customs Area Controller, Frank Allanah disclosed that the duty paid value of the two helicopters and other accessories are over N9,757,135,240.86.

He said the helicopters were flown in as a consignment with Airway Bill Number
17232444403 into
the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The choppers he said were detained at the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) shed pending fulfillment of all legal requirements for the importation.

He said upon examination, the consignment was found to contain two civil models 412 EP of serial numbers 36608 and 36606 Bell Helicopters respectively, in standard configuration and 23 packages said to contain their accessories weighing eleven thousand four hundred and seventy-five kilogrammes ( 11,075 kg).

Ugo said:” The unknown importer could not produce an end-user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) an act which contravenes section 36 subsection two Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) laws of the federation of Nigeria  2004.

Consequently, seizure was effected on November 7, 2016, in line with section 46 of CEMA.”

He also disclosed that revenue totaling  N55,505,499,945.35 was collected from January to December 2016 by a highly dedicated workforce of the Customs Airport Command, surpassing the collection of 2015 which stood at N24,746,642,881.3 billion.

The increase in revenue collection, he said is N12.8 billion above the previous year despite a decline in cargo through put from 76.9 million tons in 2015 to 64.63 million tons in 2016.

The command he said made several seizures of elephant tusks, foreign currencies and other times.

Giving further insight into the seized choppers, he said all legal issues were considered before the Customs Authorities carried out the exercise.

He said the chopper will be useful to the Nigerian Air Force in the fight against the insurgency as the chopper were specially designed for such operations.

Speaking during the handover of the chopper, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the two Bell choppers and accessories will be taken to the Nigerian Air Force hangar at the Lagos Airport for full examination in collaboration with Customs officials.

He described the handover as a milestone because the configuration of the aircraft is fitted for military combat operations.

He said the presidential approval for the release of the two helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force will assist to fight the war against insurgency and internal security engagement.