The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigerian Customs Service on Friday handed over two seized civil model Bell helicopters imported into the country by unknown persons to the Nigerian Air Force.

The NCS said the 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.
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 were detained at the Skyways Aviation
Handling Company Limited shed pending fulfillment of
all legal requirements for the importation.”
He said the chopper 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.
Alabatvnews.