Lagos Command of Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport on Friday seized two Bell civil models Helicopters,
which were imported into the country last year but remained unclaimed at the
warehouse of the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), at the
cargo section of the airport.
The two abandoned helicopters have therefore been handed
over to the Nigerian Air Force to fight insurgency in the North East.
The Customs Area Controller, Frank Allanah, while confirming
the seizure disclosed that the duty paid value of the two helicopters and other
accessories was over N9,757,135,240.86. He also said the helicopters were flown
into the country as a consignment with Airway Bill Number 17232444403 through
the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
He added that the helicopters were detained at the Skyways
Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) shed pending fulfillment of all
legal requirements for the importation .
According to him, “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).”
"The unknown importer could not produce end user certificate
from the office of the National Security Adviser ( NSA) an act which
contravenes section 36 sub section 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."
However, there are reports that the two Bell Helicopters
were imported by Rivers State Government during the Rotimi Amaechi’s
administration. An official of SAHCOL, who does not want to be named, confirmed
that the choppers were imported by Rivers State Government.
He also said Customs reserves the right to seize any
aircraft or imported item if the importer fails to show up for clearance and
payment of necessary duty on the consignment.
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