Fresh reports have revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has on Tuesday made a generous donation of 86 drones to the Nigerian Navy (NN) toward enhancing some of its operations.
The NCS Comptroller-General retired Col. Hamid Ali, who had been in charge of presenting the items in Abuja had also revealed that they had been intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after the importers had also failed to present End Users Certificate (EUC).
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Ali said that the customs usually condemn items imported into the country without EUC, after the security permission which had been granted from High Court.
“Such item or equipment are automatically forfeited to the Federal Government, which is why we are directed to transfer and hand over the drones to the NN.
“This is also because of the cooperation and the synergy among the security agencies in the country,“ he said.
Ali was represented by the NCS FCT Comptroller, Mr Suleman Bomoi at the ceremony.
“We intercepted these drones, seized them from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, and we went to High Court, Abuja, to get the Court’s order to condemn.
“So, I’m directed by the C-G to hand the items to the NN because of the cooperation and the synergy among the security agencies,“ he said.
Ali, however, emphasised that items imported or that found their ways into the country, must come with EUC.
He, however, urged Nigerians who were into importation or thinking of going into the business, to always ensure they have their EUC in place.
“Getting EUC is as easy as anything. Go to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), who is saddled with responsibility of issuing EUC and apply online and get it.
“So, failure to have it will lead to interception, seisure and outright condemnation,“ he said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice-Adm. Awwal Gambo, while receiving the items, assured of appropriate use of the items for the benefit of the service and the country in general.
