GOV WIKE: CUSTOMS LIED ABOUT 2 HELICOPTERS=AMAECHI BOUGHT THEM ALL,RIVERS DONATED THEM TO NAF

Governor Nyesom Wike has revealed that the two armoured helicopters the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said it impounded following their illegal importation belong to Rivers State government. NCS had in a statement on Friday through a Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Dan Ugo, claimed that it intercepted two helicopters and 23 consignments of accessories illegally imported into the country. He told newsmen in Lagos that the two helicopters and accessories which he said were valued at N9.7billion were impounded at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport. He had added, “The Comptroller General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, in appreciation of the roles of Air Force has directed that the equipment should be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force.” However, Wike, in a statement through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, disclosed that he formally wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari and informed him of the intention of Rivers State government to hand over to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) the two armoured helicopters. According to Wike, the two helicopters were purchased by a former administration in the state, under Rotimi Amaechi. He explained that due to the high custom duty charged for the helicopters and the refusal of the present administration to grant the Rivers State government a waiver to clear the two armoured helicopters, he decided to