The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, on Friday seized two helicopters worth N9.7 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Addressing journalists at the Lagos airport, the Customs Area Controller, Frank Alanah, said the two civil models Bell Helicopters were brought into the country by unknown importers.
The command said the two helicopters were however handed over to the Nigerian Air Force, following the failure of the importers to produce end user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He said failure to obtain the clearance contravenes Section 36 (2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act.
According him, the duty paid value of the two helicopters and other accessories was about 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 MMIA.
The choppers were detained at the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited, SAHCOL, shed pending fulfillment of all legal requirements for the importation.
