TheCable

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted 52 units of elephant tusks in Mfum, a border town in Ikom LGA of Cross River.

According to NAN, Ahmed Waziri, the area comptroller, Cross River/Akwa Ibom command of NCS, during a press briefing in Calabar on Monday, said the tusks weighing 200kg were valued at N300 million.

He said one Mohammed Ibrahim, a Cameroonian, was arrested with the items on his way to Lagos for onward transportation to another location.

He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect — who had a pistol with live ammunition in his possession — specialised in exportation of the tusks across international borders.

“The suspect has two Nigeria number plates ( Lagos) FST 733 HH and (CMR ) LT 214 AY ). A service pistol was discovered inside the vehicle, with live ammunition,” Waziri said.

“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 CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), an international agreement between governments.

“It is important that our border communities wake up and live up to their responsibilities because many of such items pass through their domain in most cases without their knowledge.

“The communities 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.”

He commended the officers for their efforts in apprehending the suspect and recovering the items, adding that the accused will be charged to court once investigations are completed.