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Customs arrest Cameroonian in Mfum with pistol, 52 elephant tusks
In an announcement made on Monday, 12 February 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service disclosed the capture of a Cameroonian individual carrying a pistol, live ammunition, and 52 elephant tusks in the town of Mfum, located in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River.
During a press conference in Calabar, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Cross River/CFTZ/Akwa Ibom Command, Comptroller Ahmed Waziri, divulged the details of the arrest.
According to Comptroller Waziri, the interception took place on Thursday, 8 February 2024, by NCS operatives in Mfum. The illegally obtained elephant tusks, totaling 200kg in weight with a value of N300 million, were seized.
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The suspect, identified as Mohammed Ibrahim from Cameroon, was apprehended alongside the pistol, live ammunition, and the elephant tusks. Ibrahim was purportedly en route to Lagos for further transportation of the items when he was intercepted.
The CAC indicated that preliminary investigations pointed to the suspect’s involvement in the illicit exportation of elephant tusks across international boundaries. The suspect was driving a Honda SUV truck with the number plate FST 733 HH, inside which 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 declared.
Waziri stressed, “This arrest should serve as a warning that Nigeria will not permit the use of its territories as transit points for illicit goods. Perpetrators should also be aware that Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).”
Comptroller Waziri underscored the crucial role border communities play in maintaining security, urging for continued vigilance. He applauded the officers at Mfum for their swift action in intercepting items worth over N300 million and apprehending the suspect.
Moreover, Waziri extended gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his team for their unwavering support, acknowledging that their assistance facilitated the success of such operations.
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