The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday seized two helicopters worth N9.7 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The Command said the two civil models Bell Helicopters were brought into the country by unknown importers.
The two helicopters were however handed over to the Nigerian Air Force following the failure by the unknown importers to produce end user certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser in contravention of Section 36 (2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act.
Addressing newsmen on Friday at the Lagos airport, the Customs Area Controller, Frank Allanah disclosed that 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 he said were detained at the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) shed pending fulfillment of all legal requirements for the importation.