By ThankGod Blessing
In a significant crackdown on illegal mining activities, the Taraba State Special Taskforce (STF) Committee apprehended seven individuals at a Quartz mining site in the state.
Led by its Chairman, Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), the STF conducted a raid at Abuja-Leather, targeting the exploration of mineral deposits in the area.
Alongside the arrests, the miners’ camp was set ablaze as a stern warning to others engaged in the illicit trade.
Ibrahim Zuppai, spokesperson for the Committee, announced that the arrested individuals would face prosecution before a special mobile court.
Among those apprehended are Kamal A. Yusuf, aged 33, from Shagarda ARD; Sirajo Adamu, aged 51, from Kaduna State; Ibrahim Hassan, aged 35, from Gayam; Shehu Usman, aged 42, from Gombe State; Saidu Aliyu, aged 42, from Bauchi State; Yusuf Abdulkarim, aged 36, from Donnada, Lau LGA; and Adeka’a Nathaniel, aged 32, from Gazabu, Bali LGA.
Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), reiterated that the STF’s decisive action serves as a strong warning to those defying the state governor’s directive against illegal mining activities.
The STF was established by the Taraba state governor on June 30, 2023, comprising members from the Nigerian Army, Police, NSCDC, Immigration, and DSS. Tasked with enforcing executive orders number three and five, the STF aims to curb the rampant deforestation and mining activities across the state.
Despite extensive sensitization efforts across all sixteen local governments of the state, the persistent disregard for the law by illegal miners remains a cause for concern.
Gen. Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa (rtd) emphasized the necessity of burning down the notorious mining site, citing previous warnings issued during the STF’s sensitization tour in the area last year.
