Customs hands over 86 impounded drones to Navy
Tamarauemi Ebimini
No fewer than 86 drones seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja over lack of End-User Certificates have been handed over to the Nigerian Navy.
The End-User Certificate, issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), is part of the requirements for purchasing and importing drones as well as other security items into the country.
Presenting the drones formally to the Nigerian Navy, the Comptroller General, NCS, Col. Hamid Ali (Rtd), said the drones were intercepted and seized from the importers because they lacked requisite documents for back-up.
Ali, who was represented by the Comptroller, NCS, Federal Capital Territory Command, Suleiman Bomoi, said the Service secured court forfeiture for the items before they are being handed over to the Nigerian Navy.
The Chief of Training and Operations Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Solomon Agada, who received the drones on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said they would be used appropriately in the service to the nation.
He said the gesture was part of the ongoing collaboration within the services towards ensuring peaceful Nigeria.
