Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has exposed his predecessor and Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. He said: “These helicopters were imported by the immediate past administration. When I assumed office, we wrote to the Federal government that it was strictly for security use. What am I going to use armoured helicopters for?”

“In any case, where will the Rivers State Government get money at this time to import armoured helicopters? The previous administration imported it because they had the money. I went to the federal government to give me a waiver for us to clear the helicopters but the federal government refused. I wrote a letter to the president and assured him that the helicopters were meant for security purposes, they should be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force.”

“I am surprised that they have started propaganda and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters.  What kind of country are they turning Nigeria into? We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters are not for commercial use. They are to be used to monitor the creeks and track criminals. I wrote to the president to give the helicopters to the airforce.  It is shocking that the Customs would turn around to claim that they impounded the helicopters. The Chief of Staff to the President admitted that I have done well when I wrote the letter to the President.”