Cameroonian Caught With Customs Service Pistol, Elephant Tusks

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has arrested a Cameroonian with a service pistol and live ammunition, in addition to 52 units of elephant tusks.

The suspect with the elephant tusks exhibit

Spokesman of the NCS, CSC Adullahi Maiwada in a statement said the interception was made at Mfum, a border town in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River by operatives of the Cross River/CFTZ/Akwa Ibom Command.

The customs spokesman quoted the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Ahmed Waziri as saying the operation was on  February 8, 2024, noting that the seized elephant tusks which weighed 200kg is worth N300 million.

Comptroller Waziri dhowcasing some of the seized items and the vehicle used in conveying them

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 is across international borders.

The statement reads: “A service pistol was discovered inside the vehicle with live ammunition. 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.

“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).”

Highlighting the crucial role of border communities in security, Comptroller Waziri urged for greater vigilance even as he commended officers responsible for the seizure.