The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday received no fewer than 86 confiscated drones from the Nigerian Customs Service.
The drones were those imported by individual and organisations without an End User Certificate.
Speaking while presenting the drones to the Navy at the FCT’s Command warehouse, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (retd.), said the drones were intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and were subsequently forfeited to the government.
Represented by the Comptroller, FCT Command, Sulaimon Bomoi, Ali said the drones were presented to the Navy to further cement the agency’s relationship with others security agencies in the country.
According to him, “The drones are among the items that require End User Certificate and the certificate is being issued by the National Security Adviser. These drones have no End User Certificate. They were intercepted, seized and condemned.
“We intercepted it from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and we seized it. We went to the court to get the condemnation order. So at this point I’m directed by the CG to hand over 86 pieces of drones to the Nigerian Navy as part of the cooperation and synergy among the security agencies.
“We are here today being October 11, 2022, to hand over and take over the 86 drones for the security use of the Nigerian Navy. “
Receiving the drones on behalf of the Nigerian Navy, the the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Solomon Aagada, promised that the drones would be put to good use.
He said, “I’m here on behalf of the Nigerian Navy to receive these drones as earlier highlighted 86 drones seized by the Nigeria Customs and forfeited to Federal Government which have been transferred to the Nigeria Navy. I can assure you that these drones will be used appropriately in service to the Nigerian Navy and the nation at large.”
