Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted a suspected poacher, Mohammed Ibrahim, with 52 units of elephant tusks in Mfum, between Ikom and Etung local government area of Cross River State, which is a few kilometres to Cameroon border.
At a media parley yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, the area comptroller, Cross River/CFTZ/Akwa Ibom Command of the NCS, Ahmed Waziri, said the suspect was apprehended last Thursday.
Waziri said the tusks which weighed 200kg is valued at N300 million, stressing that the suspect was likely to be a Cameroonian.
He said Ibrahim was napped by security operatives while heading to Lagos for onward transportation of the contraband items.
The NCS’ chief said preliminary investigation showed that Mohamed is suspected to be a brisk business man who specialises in the export of the products across international borders.
Waziri was said to be driving a Honda truck with registration number FST 733 HH and Chassis No 2KZYK16428H500704 to Lagos when he was caught, adding that he had a pistol and live ammunition in his possession.
He said, “The suspect had two number plates of both Nigeria (Lagos) FST 733 HH and (CMR) LT 214 AY), a service pistol was discovered inside the vehicle, including live ammunition.
“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), an international agreement between governments.
“It is important that our border communities live up to their responsibilities because many of such items pass through their domains without their knowledge. They have a role to play as security is everybody’s business, so we must be vigilant.
“The suspect carried those items from Cameroon using Nigeria as a transit route probably to his final destination. The suspect is with us and the goods are at the Government Warehouse.
“I want to commend my officers at Mfum for being able to intercept those items worth over N300 million and also apprehend the suspect,” he said, adding that the suspect would be charged to court.
