The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted two aircraft that were illegallCustomsrted into the country. Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hameed Ali, yesterday disclosed that the aircraft was intercepted at the Apapa Command of the service.
Addressing newsmen in Apapa, Ali said that the aircraft was one helicopter with registration number SN-BLI meant for export and falsely declared as cashew nuts
Ali said that the helicopter was carefully concealed in a container number PONU7789246 falsely declared as 388 bags of cashew nuts, stressing that the action violates Section 36 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap C45, LFN 2004
“investigation is ongoing to fish out the owner(s) of the helicopter. The second aircraft, a Cessna 182A imported from the United States of America, loaded in container number MRKU 4457663 was also intercepted by officers of the Area Command” he added
He said that the aircraft which was declared through SGD No. C130308 of 09/10/2018 was seized because of the failure of the owner(s) to present: (i). End-User-Certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser, and (ii). Approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. This is in contravention of Section 46 of CEMA, CapC45, LPN 2004″ he said.
Ali further said that While the seizures of dangerous drugs and aircraft demonstrate NCS crucial contributions to national economic and security well-being, the rejection of multimillion bribe presents a picture of a reformed NCS whose operatives are increasingly putting national interest above selves.
“1, therefore, commend the Customs Area Controller. Officers and Men of Apapa Command for their exemplary commitment to duty. We also thank our collaborating partners, locally and internationally. for their support and cooperation and reiterate our” he added.