By Udeme Clement

The Murtala Mohammed Airport Command (MMAC) of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was the beehive of activities last Friday, January 27, 2017, as the Command intercepted two bell helicopters and 23 packages containing accessories weighing 1145kg. The mind boggling seizure, which left everyone within MMAC astonished, attracted top officials of Nigerian Air Force (NAF), CGC Ali Hameed, represented by DCG Dan Ugo, Seme Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Victor Dimka, Apapa Area Controller, Comptroller Jibrin Musa, as well as other security agencies in the country to MMAC.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the duty paid value of the consignment is estimated at over N9.7billion.

Speaking, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of MMAC, Comptroller Francis Allanah, explained that a consignment with Airway Bill number 172 3244 4403 arrived the country through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and was detained at Sahcol shed pending fulfilment of all legal requirements for the importation. But during examination, the consignment was found to contain two Civil Models 412 EP of serial numbers 36608 and 36606 Bell Helicopters respectively, in standard configuration and 23 packages containing accessories weighing 1145kg.

•The seized helicopters

He stressed, “The importer could not produce End User Certificate from the office of the National  Security Adviser (NSA), an act, which contravenes section 36 (2) of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) L.F.N 2004.  Consequently, seizure was effected in line with section 46 (b) of CEMA.  NCS has the statutory responsibility to collect, account for government revenue and enforce anti-smuggling laws”.

He added, “MMAC made tremendous stride in revenue collection last year.  By the end of December 2016, a total of N55.5billon was collected, by a highly dedicated workforce, surpassing last year’s collection of N42.7billion  by N12.8billion, in spite of  dwindled cargo through-put from 76.9mtns in 2015 to 64.63mtns in 2016. I would ascribe this modest achievement to the close synergy that exists among all security and government agencies here, as well as the patriotism  of Licence Customs Agents, who now make truthful declaration and pay their duties appropriately. The Command also made several seizures of elephant tusks and foreign currencies”.

In his remarks, Dimka, said, “A seizure of this magnitude, with DPV of over N9.7billion is quite commendable .  This shows that NCS is working tirelessly to curb illegal trade in all ramifications. This is the first time in  the history of NCS that a seizure with such a huge DPV is made. It is highly commendable. I appreciate the effort of MMAC for  this outstanding seizure.  We must continue to be viligant at all times. I also commend CGC Ali Hameed for his leadership quality in directing the Service. The handing over of the helicopters to NAF show that NCS has a good synergy with other government agencies.”