By JULIUS ODEKE
Over the weekend two separate arrests of persons in possession of ivory were effected in Arua and Nebbi districts respectively.
Two prominent ivory poachers in Nebbi were arrested with ivory weighing 10 kilograms while in Arua district in a place called Anyafia, three men were also arrested while in possession of 36 kilograms of ivory.
The arrests were conducted by Natural Resources and Conservation Network (NRCN), a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that operates in Uganda with an aim of curbing illegal poaching of ivory and natural resources in the country.
The operation was effected after a tip off by the concerned residents of both Erussi sub-county in Nebbi district and Anyafia in Arua.
The suspects who were arrested from Erussi were identified as; Charles Limbake and Romano Odesh. Limbake hails from Adera village while Odesh comes from Oryang village all in Erussi sub-county. While those in Arua were identified as; Mande Adriga, Ferdinand Guma and Robert Eguma.
The suspects who were looking for market for the wildlife items were handed to the Central police stations of their respective districts with the exhibits for further interrogation.
The Chief Executive Officer of NRCN Mr Vincent Openye says it is illegal for people to deal in the poaching of wildlife.
Wildlife crime is the third largest illegal business behind only drugs and weapons world over. Though poaching is a lucrative business, people should note that, “Wildlife crime just many negative effects, as drug, arms and human trafficking,” says Vincent Openye.
He urges the locals to report any form of wildlife crime or illegal poaching to the police and any other relevant authorities near them so as to reduce such incidences in the country as the country promotes wildlife conservation.
Mr Openye cautioned them to be careful since these poachers are sophisticated people who are capable of causing harm on them..
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