Dar es Salaam. The
anti-poaching task force in Kigoma Region on Friday, November 17, arrested Mr
Maneno Tanu over allegations of killing two elephants last month.
Reports
from the region say the suspected poacher, who has been on the run for several
weeks after he allegedly killed the two elephants, was arrested following the
collaboration of Friedkin Conservation Anti-Poaching Unit, Kifura Game Post
Wardens and Kasulu police officials.
An
anonymous source from Kigoma told The Citizen on Friday, November 17,
that the suspected poacher was arrested at about 5am after informers tipped off
the anti-poaching team about Mr Tanu’s whereabouts.
“Then,
the task force stormed his residence and arrested the suspected poacher and
seized some firearms,” he told this paper.
He
named the confiscated firearms as a locally-made gun and a submachinegun (SMG).
Others are a full loaded magazine and 98 SMG bullets.
According
to the source, Mr Tanu was taken to Kasulu District Station, where a case with
registration No KSL/ IR/ 3699/2017 was registered. The suspect is being charged
with the killing of two elephants three weeks ago.
“He
is still with us at Kifura for questioning. Later, we will transfer him to
Tabora, where a special anti-poaching task force is situated,” he noted.
Kigoma
regional police commander (RPC) Martine Otieno confirmed the arrest. “I can’t
provide detailed information as I’m travelling back from Kibondo,” said Mr
Otieno in a telephone interview.
Source: thecitizen.co.tz