The Taraba Task Force (TTF) responsible for enforcing the ban on illegal mining and deforestation has apprehended no fewer than 3,500 illegal miners in the Bali Local Government Area of the state, News About Nigeria understands.
The Chairman of the task force, Retired Brig.-Gen. Jeremiah Faransa, disclosed this development during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo on Monday.
Faransa revealed that the illegal miners taken into custody hailed from various regions, including Mali, Senegal, Chad, Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria.
The enforcement action is in tandem with the state’s resolve to curbing the illicit mining activities that have been plaguing the region.
While discussing the significance of these crackdowns, Faransa emphasized the abundant natural resources present in Taraba State, which hold the potential to benefit not only the local population but also the entire state and country.
He lamented that these resources were being exploited unlawfully by unauthorized individuals, leading to significant financial losses for the state and environmental degradation.
Faransa explained, “This beautiful natural environment is under threat due to the activities of unauthorized individuals involved in illegal mining.
“These illegal miners generate billions of Naira daily at the expense of local communities. These illegal miners generate billions of Naira daily at the expense of local communities. They cause extensive damage to the ecosystem and the environment, which will have far-reaching consequences for the state’s future.”
One particular area of concern identified by the task force is Dogon Yatsu, an inaccessible forest that has become a sanctuary for these illegal miners.
Reports suggest they have been cruelly extracting various mineral resources from this location, contributing to environmental degradation and ecosystem disruption.
Faransa emphasized that the apprehended suspects are being prosecuted through a Mobile Court, ensuring that they face the appropriate legal consequences for their actions.
He also reiterated the unwavering determination of the special task force to safeguard the state and its environment from the encroachment of illegal miners.
