How Customs arrested Cameroonian with pistol, 52 elephant tusks in Cross River

The Nigeria Customs Service had revealed the arrest of a Cameroonian, Mohammed Ibrahim, in possession of pistol, live ammunition, and 52 units of elephant tusks in Mfum, a border town in Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Cross River/CFTZ/Akwa Ibom Command, Comptroller Ahmed Waziri, at a news conference in Calabar disclsoed that the arrest was effected on Thursday, 8 February 2024, by NCS operatives in Mfum.

Waziri said that the Cameroonian named Mohammed Ibrahim was arrested with a pistol, live ammunition, and 52 elephant tusks on his way to Lagos for export when he was caught.

He was driving a Honda SUV truck with the number plate FST 733 HH, where a pistol with live ammunition was discovered.

According to Waziri, “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.

“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).”

The elephant tusks, weighing 200kg, were valued at N300 million.