Men of the Nigerian Customs Service
yesterday in Lagos impounded and detained two helicopters for about an hour
along Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos.
The arrested choppers were later
taken to Customs formation in Lagos but were later released after their papers
were found to be genuine.
The two brand new helicopters were
being conveyed by NESTOIL trucks from the Apapa area when they were intercepted
by Customs men at Toyota bus stop near Oshodi.
Customs spokesman Uche Ejesieme
confirmed the arrest to LEADERSHIP Friday but said that the choppers had been
released after it was discovered that their papers were in order.
He said: “Yes, the two helicopters
were arrested by our men today (yesterday) as we noticed some discrepancies in
their papers, but after taking them to our office, we found out that the papers
were genuine and as I speak with you now, they have been released.”
A source told our reporter that the
drivers of the trucks fled when the Customs men, apparently acting on a
tip-off, suddenly appeared at the scene.
“There were three trucks in all. Two
of them were carrying the helicopters while the third carried the blades. The
suspicion is that the helicopters are just coming from the wharf and might have
been intercepted in connection with import duties, but no one can say clearly
as the armed Customs men did not allow anyone to come close to ask questions or
even take pictures,” the source said.
This is the second time in just over
two months that helicopters would cause a stir in Lagos.
On June 13, residents in the Igando
area woke up to find a light plane with registration number N972TF at Dapsey
filling station along the Lagos State University (LASU)- Iba road. It later
turned out that the unserviceable helicopter was being towed away by agents of
Captain Matthew Ekeinde, husband of Nollywood diva Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, when
the towing truck developed problems.
Source: Leadership
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