REVEALED: How 2 War Helicopters Were Secretly Brought Into Nigeria

Who is behind the importation? That is the question security agents are now trying to crack…

The Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport Command of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has seized two civil models Bell Helicopters brought into the country by unknown importers.

Consequently, the Customs Service has handed over the helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force for use in the fight against terrorists.

The NCS accused the importers of the said items of failure to produce the end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser ( NSA), thus contravening Section 36 (2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act.

Addressing newsmen at the command’s office at the Lagos Airport, the Customs Area Controller, Frank Allanah, said the duty value of the two helicopters and other accessories was about  N9bn (N9,757,135,240.86).

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

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

Upon examination, the consignment was found to contain 2 civil models 412 EP  Bell Helicopters in standard configuration and 23 packages said to contain their accessories.

“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 2 of the 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.”

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 insurgency as the chopper were specially designed for such operations.

Speaking during the handover of the choppers, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the two Bell choppers and accessories would 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.

WHO IMPORTED WAR HELICOPTERS INTO NIGERIA?
Investigations however revealed that the 2 Bell Helicopters were imported by a state government in the South South in the twilight of a former administration in the state.

Sources said the transactions might not have been documented, forcing the new administration in the state to concede that the choppers be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force.

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