The Nigeria Customs Service (NIS) has successfully intercepted 52 units of elephant tusks valued at N300 million in Mfum, a border town in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River.
The arrest was announced by Malam Ahmed Waziri, the Area Comptroller for Cross River / CFTZ / Akwa Ibom Command, NIS, during a press conference held in Calabar on Monday.
The operation took place last Thursday when NIS operatives in Mfum detained a Cameroonian national, Mohammed Ibrahim, who was allegedly en route to Lagos with the illicit goods for further transportation. The seized tusks, weighing a total of 200kg, are believed to be part of Ibrahim’s extensive network involved in the international trade of endangered species.
Waziri revealed that the suspect was apprehended driving a Honda SUV truck with registration number FST 733 HH and chassis number 2KZYK16428H500704.
Inside the vehicle, law enforcement discovered a service pistol with live ammunition. The arrest serves as a stark warning that Nigeria will not tolerate being used as a transit route for illegal products.
Emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to international agreements, Waziri stated, “Nigeria is a signatory to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).” He urged border communities to be vigilant, asserting that security is everyone’s responsibility and calling upon them to actively contribute to curbing illegal activities.
Waziri commended the vigilant officers at Mfum for their role in intercepting the tusks and apprehending the suspect. The seized items are currently secured in a government warehouse, pending further investigation. The legal unit of the Nigeria Customs Service is actively pursuing the case, and once investigations are complete, the suspect, Mohammed Ibrahim, will be promptly charged in court.
