The Nigeria Customs Service announced on Monday, 12 February
2024, the arrest of a Cameroonian found with a pistol, live ammunition, and 52
units of elephant tusks in Mfum, a border town in the Ikom Local Government
Area of Cross River.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Cross River/CFTZ/Akwa
Ibom Command, Comptroller Ahmed Waziri, revealed this information during a news
conference in Calabar.
Comptroller Waziri stated that the arrest occurred on
Thursday, 8 February 2024, by NCS operatives in Mfum. The seized elephant
tusks, weighing 200kg, were valued at N300 million.
According to Waziri, a Cameroonian named Mohammed Ibrahim was
apprehended with a pistol, live ammunition, and 52 elephant tusks. Ibrahim was
allegedly en route to Lagos for further transportation of the items when he was
caught.
The CAC noted that preliminary investigations showed the
suspect's specialization in the illegal exportation of elephant tusks across
international borders. The suspect was driving a Honda SUV truck with the
number plate FST 733 HH, where a pistol with live ammunition was discovered.
“The suspect has two number plates (Lagos): FST 733 HH and
(CMR) LT 214 AY. A service pistol was discovered inside the vehicle with live
ammunition,” he stated.
Waziri emphasized, “This arrest should be a warning that Nigeria
will not be used as a transit route for illicit products. They should also know
that Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Comptroller Waziri highlighted the crucial role of border
communities in security, urging vigilance. He commended the officers at Mfum
for intercepting items worth over N300 million and apprehending the
suspect.
Waziri expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team for their support, acknowledging that their assistance provided an enabling environment for such successful operations.
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| Customs Arrests a Cameroonian with Pistol, 52 Elephant Tusks in Mfum |
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