Niger Delta
C’River Customs Intercepts Elephant Tusks Worth N300m
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 52 units of elephant tusks in Mfum, a border town of Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The Area Comptroller of Cross River/CFTZ/Akwa Ibom Command of the NCS, Ahmed Waziri, said this at a news conference in Calabar on Monday.
Waziri said the arrest was made by the operatives of the NCS in Mfum on Thursday, adding that the tusks weighing 200kg were valued at N300 million.
He said that a Cameroonian, Mohammed Ibrahim, was arrested with the items, saying that the suspect was suspected to be on his way to Lagos for onward transportation of the items to another location when he was apprehended.
He said that preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspect specialised in the exportation of the tusks across international borders.
The Comptroller noted that the suspect was apprehended with a Honda SUV truck with number plate FST 733 HH.
He said that a pistol with live ammunition was also discovered inside the truck.
“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.
“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 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,” he said.
Waziri added, “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.
“I want to commend my eagle-eyed officers at Mfum for being able to intercept those items worth over N300 million and also apprehending the suspect.
“Our legal unit is already on the matter, and he will be charged to court immediately we complete our investigations.”
On Friday, February 9, NIS said it arrested three men for alleged illegal export of elephant tusks to Asia.
The men were arrested at different locations in Lagos between January 25, 2024, and February 4 and 6, 2024, for allegedly facilitating the sale and export of five pieces of elephant tusk, weighing 25.35kg, and worth about $16,000 equivalent (N23,520,000).
Niger Delta
Tai Agric Sector Gets Emergency Attention …As Chairman Distributes Farm Inputs, Inaugurates Technical Team

The Chairman of Tai Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Matthew Nenu Bari Dike has declared a state of emergency in the agriculture sector of Tai local government.
Speaking while distributing farm implements and other agricultural support packages to the farmers at the council’s headquarters in Saakpenwa, yesterday, Dike challenged farmers to show their farms before requesting for financial assistance.
The council boss stated that as a government, they were committed to putting smiles on the faces of the people and assured that his administration would ensure that every person in the local government is happy.
“As a government we want to assure you that, we will stop at nothing to ensure you all are empowered and living happily”.
According to him, “the gesture is aimed at enhancing food production and security through agriculture, and enjoined all lovers of agriculture in the local government area to identify with the quest to redefine development through agriculture in the local government.
He encouraged everyone to cultivate the passion and return to agriculture, to guarantee self-reliance, maximum food production and security in the area.
His administration, he said, would purchase more yam seedlings in order to get greater production to encourage exportation beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“A boost in yam production will also empower farmers in the Local Government Area”, the elated chairman said.
In a related development, the Chairman has inaugurated a five, member Agricultural Technical Committee for the Local Government Area.
The committee is made up of Pst. Anderson Wariboko, Barr. Paul Newman,, Smith Nyor-Ue, Gladys Jumbo and Dr Keke Rammyson
Also speaking, the Director of Agriculture, Tai Local Government Area, Mr Anderson Wariboko revealed that the event was part of activities to mark the chairman’s 100 days in office.
Wariboko who led the chairman, and other leaders of the council on the distribution of the farm inputs to the farmers, was full of praises for the chairman, Hon. Dike whom he said has the interest of the people at heart.
Kiadum Edookor
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