Six mine-resistant multipurpose vehicles seized in August by Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) have been returned after findings revealed that they belong to the United States of Nigeria (USA).
The vehicles have been handed over to the American officials during a brief event at the Adamawa/Taraba Zonal headquarters of the Command on Friday.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that security operatives seized the vehicles in August on the basis of precise and non-convincing tales of ownership, purpose and destination of the mine-resistant multipurpose vehicles.
While speaking at the occasion of the handling over on Friday, the Zonal Comptroller of Customs, Adamawa/Taraba Command, Kamardeen Olumoh disclosed that the handover was in deference to a directive from the National Security Adviser to release the vehicles to the American Government.
“I am directed by the National Security Adviser to comply, release and hand over the vehicles to the American Government,” the Customs zonal comptroller said.
While reacting to the development, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of United States of America in Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGibbon, thanked Nigeria for its understanding.
FitzGibbon explained that the vehicles were on their way to Niger Republic for a security mission when they were seized by Nigerian authorities.
Military and security chiefs from various security formations and some military and security officials of the American Embassy were present during the handing over ceremony