Private jets used to smuggle cash, fugitives – FG

The Federal Government on Sunday said illegal consignments and cash in local and foreign currencies were being smuggled on daily basis in and out of the country aboard private jets.

It also said some persons that securities agencies had declared wanted were being airlifted out of the country aboard private and chartered jets.

As a result, it insisted that pilots flying such jets must declare the passenger manifest before being allowed to take off.

An aircraft manifest contains the names of all persons aboard the plane, among other things.

The Coordinating Information and Communications Manager for aviation parastatals, Mr. Yakubu Dati, told reporters in Lagos on Sunday that the order for the declaration of passenger manifest was necessary to check the abuse of the use of private and chartered jets.

He said for security reasons, especially the need to arrest those who had constituted security threats to the country, the government would not renege on its decision for pilots of private jets to file their manifests before being given Air Traffic Control clearance.

Dati said security operatives had disclosed that many wanted persons were being smuggled out of the country with private jets.

He also stated that some wanted persons were being sneaked into the country without appropriate checks as many private jets take off from private facilities at airports.

Dati spoke on the heels of the criticism that have trailed the introduction of some new policy measures for the private jet sub-sector in the country.

The government had through the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2013 unveiled two weeks ago directed pilots of private jets to file their manifests before obtaining ATC clearance.

It also said foreign registered private jets could only spend 15 days in the country, just as the policy also barred private jet owners from carrying friends and business associates.

Aviation stakeholders as well as the Action Congress of Nigeria had, however, severely criticised the policy, saying most of its provisions were not obtainable in any other part of the world.

An aviation expert and former Military Commandant, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu, said the demand for passengers’ manifest on private aircraft could only be done by the State Security Services.

“The need for passengers’ manifest on private aircraft, if required, can only be the responsibility of the State Security Services, and in the case of private aircraft on international flight, the Nigerian Immigration Service,” Ojikutu said

But Dati insisted that what the government wanted to do was to monitor the operations of unscheduled flights as well as their manifests due to the current security situation in the country.

According to him, charter services by private jets have become a lucrative business in the country and 80 per cent of the private jets have private licences, but carry out commercial operations.

This, he said, constituted safety challenges because aircraft with private licences were not being subjected to compulsory maintenance checks as those with commercial licences were made to do by the regulatory body, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

He also regretted that about 80 per cent of the 150 private jets operating in the country were registered overseas; a situation he said exempted them from paying taxes and five per cent charges to the NCAA.

Dati said, “So, when you collate what government agencies lose by the illegal operations of these aircraft, it amounts to over N25bn in a year. And I can authoritatively tell you that it is now a lucrative business that businessmen bring in aircraft to operate as private jets, while they are actually used for commercial purposes.

“So, it makes nonsense of those charter operators who follow the laid down processes and whose business has now been taken away by the illegal private operators.”

Source:http://www.punchng.com/news/private-jets-used-to-smuggle-cash-fugitives-fg/

For real?!

So true mehn...had Ma suspicion. Gud tin u figured it out mr. President,kudos ..

Why is the FGN whining to the Nigerian Public, if you have the resources, manpower, intelligence, information and Constitutional mandate , why don't you ground the airplanes of the people involved and arrest them?

The Min of Aviation and security agencies should do their jobs and stop churning draconian procedures they cannot enforce!

Errr.it happens all over the world

Abegi wetin b manifest again no b 2 write name?na must say u go write ur real name.....abegi mk una find a better way 2 tackle it if true no b 2 d submit manifest go curb am

Is this applicable to some G.Os and their business minded likes?

Probably used to transport mercenaries, insurgents, illegal immigrants, trafficked children, and an endless list of other moving parts as well

He also regretted that about 80 per cent of the 150 private jets operating in the country were registered overseas; a situation he said exempted them from paying taxes and five per cent charges to the NCAA.

what happened to detecting it before they board

ok ooo

Yup, its better the fugitives being smuggled out aboard these private jets remain in the country and be pardoned.

All these discoveries because Rotimi Amaechi bought a jet?

Security zero. Hmmm.

Okay, was that what the Rivers State Governor did or being involved in before the Rivers State Jet he flew to Akure was grounded there recently? The reason has not been explained to the best of my knowledge. Tell us more please.

Mtcheww!! It's all about amaechi's insubordination! Abi this govt blind b4?

Private jets are used for a lot of illegall stuff that is no more news

Drug Lords e.t.c use them

danm!i was tinking of buying my own private jet for this same purpose.SHIIITE

Imagine dat!

Na wa o!

They should give you the names of everyone abi? So you know which jet to bomb.... Gej can't Nigerians have their privacy again?

Big Man...Big Wahala!

do we not know already? or aren't you already aware and ontop of the situation?

give us progress reports on what you have done to curb this ugly menace.



Abi, you want us Nigerians to float and form checkpoints in the sky??

dramendra: They should give you the names of everyone abi? So you know which jet to bomb.... Gej can't Nigerians have their privacy again?

criticize constructively!

to back what the FG said we need proof, show us that so call private jets does not belong to the opposition, we need proof

The Federal Government on Sunday said illegal consignments and cash in local and foreign currencies were being smuggled on daily basis in and out of the country aboard private jets.

It also said some persons that securities agencies had declared wanted were being airlifted out of the country aboard private and chartered jets.

After all these years so NCAA and FG just woke up from their slumber.
On a daily basis, yet no arrests has been made. Just blind accusations.

And dz private jets owner's can use it to smuggle drugs and take it over sea

What are Nigerian Air Force trained for; make dem dey go double-cross dem for sky naa.

Hey, park! paaarrrk!!
Inner light!
Wetin u carry!
Mr man come down!

Are pastors jets included too B-)

Dats why they are called private jet..............

Recriminations grow,and the political spat escalates between the corrupt creek crook and the alleged cultist,both members of the depraved PDP gang.Its a winner takes all contest.

omo9ja1: to back what the FG said we need proof, show us that so call private jets does not belong to the opposition, we need proof

So opposition should av special immunity and should gallavant around with impunity right?