The Seized Helicopters Handed By Customs To The Nigerian Air Force. (Photos)

Two bell helicopters recently seized by the Nigerian Customs Service have been handed over to Nigerian Air Force in Lagos. Speaking after the handing over ceremony, the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Dan Ugo, alleged that the importers of the helicopters failed to comply with the necessary import requirement.

The Customs 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. It was 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 chopper would be useful to the Nigerian Air Force in the fight against insurgency as the chopper were specially designed for such operations.