In the border region of northern Cameroon, logs of precious rosewood are being illegally cut by armed traffickers from neighboring Nigeria. This precious timber is often turned into rifle stocks and furniture but the illegal logging harms the environment and undermines traditional ways of life. Local communities have testified that traffickers cut down the trees at night and transport them to Nigeria, where they are prepared for shipment to China.
This trade is known to local officials, who seem to be turning a blind eye. In partnership with investigative journalism startup Museba Project, RIN Fellow Christian Locka followed this illegal timber route across borders to uncover the actors and enablers.